Family Medical History: The Key to Your Health Calculate your risk of five prevalent diseases (August/ September 2005) More health stories

Q:	What can my family’s health history tell me about my risk for diseases that aren’t inherited?
A:	If several members of your family have a condition that’s known to have an environmental cause (see below), then the risk of developing the condition can be greatly reduced by removing the cause or staying away from it.
Q:	What are some non-hereditable diseases that can run in families?
A:	For the most part, they’re infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis. We once thought diseases like tuberculosis were inherited. Avian flu is another infectious disease that shows up in family clusters. But unlike genetic transmission, the transmission of infectious diseases rarely happens across several generations. Even some chronic conditions like dental cavities seem to be found in several members of certain families, but they have a definite environmental cause.
Q:	What are some of the environmental factors I should look for?
A:	If several family members are exposed to the same occupational hazard, for example, it’s likely that some of them will show the conditions associated with such exposure. Quick examples are working in coal mines or working with asbestos or other chemical products that irritate the skin and mucous membranes.
Q:	Are there behavioral or cultural factors too?
A:	Most certainly. The ways we approach smoking, alcohol consumption, and food preparation are heavily influenced by culture. Of course, the health risks are higher in cultures that favor heavy smoking and alcohol consumption and prepare their food using unhealthy amounts of some ingredients, such as excessive salt and fats. Unhealthy cooking habits, such as excessive use of frying techniques, also increase risk.