Family Health History Month: How to Talk to Your Loved Ones About Health
Family Health History Month is the perfect time to talk about your family’s medical story. Learn how open conversations with loved ones can help prevent disease, guide screenings, and create a stronger foundation for lifelong health.
Last updated November 2025
When families gather this time of year, the focus is often on food, laughter, and connection. But November also brings a lesser-known observance that could have a lasting impact on your family’s future—Family Health History Month.
It’s an opportunity to have meaningful conversations that go beyond recipes and holiday plans. By learning more about the medical conditions that have affected your parents, grandparents, siblings, and extended relatives, you can take important steps toward preventing disease and protecting your long-term health.
As a family doctor in Lafayette, I often tell my patients that knowing your family health history is like owning a personalized roadmap for wellness. It helps us identify risks early, customize screenings, and take a proactive approach to care. The goal isn’t to worry; it’s to understand your story so we can write a healthier next chapter together.
Why Family Health History Matters
Your family health history is a record of illnesses, chronic conditions, and genetic traits that tend to run in families. It can reveal patterns that help physicians predict which diseases you might be more likely to develop and what steps can reduce that risk.
Conditions that often have hereditary or familial links include:
Heart disease and high cholesterol
Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
Breast, ovarian, and colon cancers
Thyroid disease and autoimmune conditions
Anxiety, depression, and dementia
Even when genetics play a role, lifestyle choices and preventive care can make a meaningful difference. Knowing your risks allows you and your doctor to create a plan that supports your health, rather than reacting to illness after it has started.
For example, if your father was diagnosed with heart disease at a young age, your physician might recommend cholesterol screening earlier than the standard guidelines. If your mother or sister developed breast cancer before menopause, genetic testing or more frequent mammograms might be appropriate.
Understanding your family health history isn’t about fear—it’s about empowerment.
Why These Conversations Are Worth Having
Many families avoid talking about health because it feels personal or uncomfortable. Others simply don’t know how much their relatives are willing to share. But these conversations can be life-changing for you and your loved ones.
When you gather information, you’re not just learning about the past—you’re helping your children and grandchildren plan for the future. You might even discover connections between family members’ experiences that were never discussed before.
For example, maybe several relatives have thyroid issues, or multiple generations have struggled with anxiety or high blood pressure. Seeing the full picture makes prevention much more effective.
These discussions also create a sense of togetherness. Health stories remind families that you’re not alone in navigating wellness—and that you can support one another through proactive care.
How to Start the Conversation
If talking about health feels awkward, start simple. The key is to create a tone of curiosity and care, not interrogation. You might begin with:
“I’ve been learning about Family Health History Month, and I’d love to know more about our family’s health story.”
“My doctor mentioned that family patterns can really shape prevention. Would you mind sharing what you know about our grandparents’ health?”
“I’m updating my own records and want to make sure we have a clear picture for the kids, too.”
Choose a relaxed moment—after dinner, during a walk, or while flipping through photo albums. When people feel comfortable and included, they’re often willing to share more details than you expect.
If your family is large or spread out, consider making it a shared project. One person can collect stories while others look through old medical records or documents. If relatives are hesitant, reassure them that the goal is prevention and awareness, not judgment or comparison.
What to Ask
A few key questions can help you gather valuable information:
Has anyone in our family been diagnosed with heart disease, stroke, or high blood pressure?
Is there a history of diabetes, obesity, or metabolic conditions?
Have there been any cancers, and if so, which types and at what ages?
Does anyone have autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or thyroid disease?
Are there mental health conditions, dementia, or neurological issues that run in the family?
At what age did relatives develop chronic illnesses? Were they related to lifestyle factors like smoking or diet?
Have there been any unexplained deaths or early medical events, such as heart attacks, before age 50?
Even if you don’t have complete answers, writing down what you do know gives your doctor a strong starting point for preventive planning.
How to Organize What You Learn
Once you’ve gathered information, the next step is recording it in one place.
You can use a notebook, a spreadsheet, or a digital form to document family conditions, ages at diagnosis, and any lifestyle patterns. For a simple starting point, the U.S. Surgeon General’s online tool—My Family Health Portrait—allows you to create and securely store your history.
It includes prompts and categories for each major system (heart, endocrine, reproductive, mental health, and more) so you can fill it in at your own pace. Once complete, bring it to your next appointment so we can review it together and design a personalized prevention plan.
Turning Awareness Into Action
Collecting your family health history is only the first step. What truly makes a difference is using that knowledge to shape your care.
Here’s how prevention can become practical:
Schedule annual wellness visits. These allow for early screening and lab work that reflect your unique risks.
Prioritize screenings. If certain diseases run in your family, your physician can recommend earlier or more frequent testing.
Adopt healthy habits together. Encourage family members to join you for walks, cook nutritious meals, or share mindfulness routines.
Check in regularly. Update your health history each year as new diagnoses occur in your family.
When families treat prevention as a shared value, everyone benefits, from aging parents to young adults just beginning their own health journeys.
A Tradition Worth Keeping
Family Health History Month is more than a calendar observance; it’s an invitation to connect across generations and take ownership of your wellness story.
At Manifest Health Concierge Medicine in Lafayette, we believe prevention begins with understanding. As a family doctor focused on preventive medicine in Boulder County, I partner with patients to turn family insights into individualized care. By combining advanced testing, longer visits, and whole-person guidance, our concierge model allows time to discuss what matters most: your future health.
So this November, start the conversation. Ask questions, share stories, and take notes. Encourage your loved ones to complete a health history worksheet and bring it to their own doctor. It’s one of the simplest and most powerful gifts you can give: the knowledge to stay well.
Schedule a preventive medicine consultation, call 720-439-4002 or visit www.manifesthealthcm.com. Together, we can help your family’s story become one of strength, longevity, and wellness.
