Latino individuals, particularly immigrants, often lack knowledge of their family health history, which is crucial for predicting risks of chronic conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Dr. Olga Garcia-Bedoya, medical director at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Institute for Minority Health Research, highlights the cultural barriers, including family dynamics and stigma, that impede the sharing and recording of such information within Latino communities.
The absence of family health history not only hinders personalized preventive care but also limits the effectiveness of genetic counseling and testing, which could serve as an alternative for those lacking detailed familial health records. Despite the potential of DNA testing to forecast health risks, it cannot replace the insights gained from a comprehensive family health history.
Garcia-Bedoya emphasizes the importance of creating a family health history by engaging with parents, siblings, and other close relatives. This practice is particularly vital for Latino individuals who face a gap in communication about health risks, which may stem from a lack of familiarity with the concept of family health history and its significance for personal health.
The study underscores the need for increased awareness and education on the importance of family health history, especially among young Latino adults, to improve health outcomes and prevent potential health risks within the community.
See “Family history can help identify health risks, but many Latino people know little about theirs” by Lourdes Medrano on the American Heart Association website (June 22, 2023)
