HHS Web Tool Helps Create Family Health History

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has just unveiled an upgraded version of its “My Family Health Portrait,” an easy to use, Web-based tool that allows users to create a detailed confidential family health history.

According to Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona, health-care professionals agree that many diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease, can run in families. A detailed family history can predict the disorders for which a person may be at increased risk, and thereby help to develop more personalized treatment plans.

“Even with all the high-tech tests, medicines and procedures available in today’s modern health-care setting, family health history remains the cornerstone of our efforts to prevent disease and promote personal health,” said Dr. Carmona in an HHS press release. “It’s clear that knowing your family history can save your life.”

Health history data entered into My Family Health Portrait is stored on your PC, not on any government sever, so confidentiality is never a worry. You own the file and can choose what to do with it at any time.

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