Healthy choices through family history: a community approach to family history awareness.
BACKGROUND
The importance of family health history data in health care is widely acknowledged. Few individuals report having collected this information from their own family.


METHODS
This project implemented a community-based approach to design and pilot a linguistically and culturally appropriate family health history collection toolkit for two minority populations in Harrisburg, Pa.


RESULTS
The toolkit relied on oral traditions and family stories as a way to successfully introduce genetics education and family health history to these populations. Participants not only found the tool engaging and culturally appropriate, they were also able to obtain information that they were likely to share with their physician.


CONCLUSIONS
While limited in scope, this project provides a model to other communities for the design, pilot testing, and implementation of a community-based public health initiative regarding family health histories.
Petruccio
Claudia
C
Institute for Cultural Partnerships, Harrisburg, PA 17110, USA. petruccio@culturalpartnerships.org
Mills Shaw
Kenna R
KR
Boughman
Joann
J
Fernandez
Carlos
C
Harlow
Ilana
I
Kruesi
Margaret
M
Kyler
Penny
P
Lloyd-Puryear
Michele A
MA
O'Leary
James
J
Skillman
Amy
A
Terry
Sharon
S
McKain
Fredrika
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005006:Ethnicity; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D005826:Genetics, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*