Families affect the health of their members by transmitting genetic predisposition to wellness and illness. Families also model and teach health beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Eliciting an individual's family history can identify potential genetic vulnerabilities to disease and lifestyle influences. This review explores the implications of family history for patient education about lifestyle. Family history is particularly useful for helping health care providers be effective with individuals who have strong family patterns of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, major risk factors (dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and tobacco use), and related factors (obesity, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and alcohol excess). Gathering and recording family history information can be problematic, even with an electronic medical record (EMR). The genogram (expanded genetic pedigree) is an efficient way to record and display family history data. Family history data in genogram format can be used as a versatile patient education tool. Despite its clinical utility, the genogram has been used more for teaching than for patient care. Thus far, the genogram has not been integrated into the EMR. Adding relevant cultural information to the conventional genogram might increase its utility for helping health care providers encourage lifestyle changes that promote wellness and prevent disease, disability, and premature death in ethnically diverse populations.
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