'Start the conversation': the New South Wales (Australia) family health history campaign.
BACKGROUND
Evidence that family health history (FHH) informs recommendations for appropriate early detection strategies used for the prevention of many health conditions underscores the importance of optimizing a patient's knowledge of his/her personal FHH. For some conditions, FHH also underpins identifying those at potentially high risk for whom genetic testing may be possible and suitable to further inform the advice. The Family Health History Campaign 'Start the Conversation' was conducted in New South Wales (Australia) in August 2006 as a small state-wide media campaign with the aim of encouraging individuals to discuss and gather their FHH information about several conditions and report it to their doctor. Campaign development included consultations with consumers and primary care practitioners (general practitioners - GPs), development of campaign resources, and establishment of partnerships.


METHODS
Evaluation methodologies included community poll surveys pre- and post-campaign, a GP mail survey, and website usage analysis.


RESULTS
While only 112/403 of the polled community reported hearing about the campaign in the media, 48% of those men and women were encouraged to start the conversation with their families. Limited findings from the GP survey respondents suggested they were engaged, made aware of the potential lack of patient knowledge about FHH and generated referral for several high-risk patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Campaigns that use the media to encourage the community to take action and also engage the GPs can create a supportive environment that has the potential to increase the accuracy with reporting of FHH to maximize benefit for early detection and prevention.
Centre for Genetics Education, NSW Health, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia. kdunlop @ nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au
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Barlow-Stewart
D005190:Family; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D009517:New South Wales