Many of us have created a geneological/family tree for a school project while growing up, or you may be currently working on a family tree. Have you ever thought about a family health history tree?

The US Surgeon General has created a Family Health Portrait , in which you can create a health history of you, your immediate family (siblings, parents), and grandparents. As well, you can add aunts, uncles, cousins, and half-siblings to your family history. Main diseases tracked in the family history include heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and colon, uterine and breast cancers. You can also add other diseases (like cystic fibrosis and other cancers) to your family health history. Although this tool is to be used mainly for genetic diseases, it is also a good tool to use to keep track of chronic illnesses and trends within families. When you are done, you can print a copy of this family tree to take to your physician.

Unfortunately, you cannot save this data on the website for later updates, but you CAN save it to your hard drive. As well, you can download the Family Health Portrait tool to use at your leisure.

I think that this website is a good tool for a large family or a family history that is extensive. Unfortunately, it’s not good if you don’t know the history of your parents/grandparents, or if those said individuals refuse to visit a doctor! As well, it may be good to start one if you have children and would like a record of your family’s health history. Check it out!