Family Health History

Engage students in learning about health family history and the connection between genetics and health. By completing this module students will:

1. Understand basic information about common (and in some cases preventable) diseases, understand that the risk for developing these diseases has both a hereditary and environmental component, and understand what it means to be "at risk" for developing these diseases.
2. Assess personal risk for developing common diseases by filling out the online Health Family Tree tool at home with their families.
3. Construct a "Reduce your Risk" Promotional Campaign aimed at educating their peers.

Follow the suggested lesson plan below to work your way through this module.

A whole-class kinesthetic demonstration of what it means to be in a "risk group" for developing heart disease based on family history/genetics.

• People can be assigned to a risk group for developing heart, and other diseases based on family history/genetics.
• Lifestyle choices can positively or negatively influence the risk of developing heart disease.
• A higher risk means a greater chance of developing heart disease, not an inevitability of developing it.
• Though a lower risk means there is a reduced chance, it is still possible for members of this risk group to develop heart disease.

Students explore the Using Family History to Improve Your Health module on the Genetic Science Learning Center website to complete a web quest.

• Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, run in families.
• An individual’s environment, personal choices and genetic make-up all contribute to their risk of developing a chronic disease.
• Family health histories can provide important information about an individual’s risk of develoing a chronic disease.
• Lifestyle modifications that improve health can reduce an individual’s risk of developing a chronic disease.

Students are challenged to track and record the passage of colored pom poms (representing genes) through generations of a family using a pedigree.

• An inherited trait can be determined by one or by many genes.
• All humans have the same genes, but each inherits slightly different forms or “flavors” of each gene.
• Many common diseases (such as heart disease) run in families and have a genetic component.
• Most common diseases are caused by the combined action of multiple genes and environmental factors.
• An individual’s risk of developing a common disease is estimated by looking at siblings, parents and grandparents in a family medical history.

Students design a promotional campaign that educates their peer group about how to prevent common diseases (e.g., heart disease or obesity).

• Certain measures can be taken to reduce an individual’s risk of developing common diseases.
• Educating the public abouthow to reduce their risk of developing common diseases is important.

Collect your family health history using this easy to follow guide and checklist. Arrange your family's health history into a pedigree chart. Student pages available in English, Spanish, and Tongan.

• Knowing your family health history is an important first step in improving or maintaining your own health.