New Web Tool to Diagram Individual and Family Health Histories

November 23, 2005
Surgeon General Releases Web-Based Family Health History Tool

My Family Health Portrait is a Web-based tool designed to help families gather and share their health information. The tool, released as part of the U.S. Surgeon General's Family Health Initiative, organizes information into a printout that an individual can use, in partnership with a health professional, to determine whether he or she is at increased risk for six common diseases with a known genetic contribution, and for other conditions that may run in families. Users can highlight certain diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes, and produce personalized diagrams or charts for each family member that can then be used to develop individualized diagnosis, treatment, and prevention plans. The tool is intended for use by individuals, families, and health professionals in understanding the importance of collecting a family health history and in making the process of gathering the information easier and more efficient. The tool is available in both English and Spanish at
https://familyhistory.hhs.gov.