No matter how you connect with family this year during the holidays, start the conversation about your health history. Many health problems tend to run in families. Creating a family history can help you and your family be aware of possible health risks so you can take steps to reduce them.

The most important relatives to include in your family health history are your parents, brothers and sisters, and your children. Next, you may want to talk to grandparents, uncles and aunts, nieces and nephews, and half-brothers and half-sisters.

Some of the questions you can ask include:

• Do you have any chronic diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes, or health conditions such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol?
• Have you had any other serious diseases, such as cancer or stroke?
• How old were you when each of these diseases and health conditions was diagnosed?
• What is our family’s ancestry – from what countries did our ancestors originate?
• For relatives who have died, be sure to ask about the cause and age of death.

Write this information down, and be sure to update it from time to time.

Find out how to get started and how to use what you learn to create a healthier future for yourself and your family.