Health library

Know your family health history

It's good to know what diseases may be in your family. Why? If your relatives had certain conditions, your own risk may be higher. In that case, your doctor may suggest stay-well strategies, like getting health screenings earlier than usual.

GATHER YOUR FAMILY HEALTH HISTORY

Ask these relatives what conditions they had and when they were diagnosed:

Parents.
Siblings and half-siblings.
Children.
Grandparents.
Aunts and uncles.
Nieces and nephews.

Home for the holidays?

Family gatherings are a great time to ask your relatives about their health history.

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "About Family Health History."
https://www.cdc.gov/family-health-history/about/index.html.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Family Health History and Adults." https://www.cdc.gov/family-health-history/family-health-history-and-you/family-health-history-and-adults.html.

Reviewed 7/28/2025