BRIEF

Jul 29, 2010 — The Sacramento Bee

Anita Creamer

Jul. 29, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- The concept is brilliant in its simplicity: When you and your elderly relatives are piecing together names and dates for your family tree, put together your family's health history, as well. After all, older relatives may well recall the ailments that beset their parents and grandparents, allowing you access to heirloom knowledge about your family's health through the generations.

Knowing family health conditions can help doctors and health care providers assess potential risks for coming generations.

The family health history suggestion comes from the National Institutes of Health SeniorHealth web site, which has an online tool available for family members to compile information. The site also makes general health and medical information available for users.

Studies show that 70 percent of older people already surf the Internet for news on health.

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Call The Bee's Anita Creamer, (916) 321-1136.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0178-47447398