How do I start the family health history conversation with my family?

Does It Run in the Family? includes tips for talking about health with family, but not all your relatives will be comfortable talking about health in the same way. There are many tools that can help you and your relatives share information in the way that is most comfortable, from paper surveys to online tools and e-cards. For family member who do not want to talk in person or on the phone, you can send a family health history questionnaire.  You can also use this questionnaire to guide your in-person chats with family.

If relatives still need some encouragement, try sending them a personalized e-card from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Let them know you are ready to talk, and listen, whenever they are! CDC offers more than 100 e-cards on different health topics, so you can tailor your message for different family members to help get the conversations started.