William Penn Life, 2005 (40. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2005-12-01 / 12. szám
HealthPage materials to chronic disease and genetic experts in the state health departments of every U.S. state and territory. These materials are designed to assist local health departments in their efforts to educate people about the importance of collecting a family health history, and to inform them about the new computerized tool that makes that process easier. Building a Family History The best way to learn about your family health history is to talk to your family, Ask questions, catch up at family gatherings, draw a family tree and record health information. If possible, look at death certificates and family medical records to confirm the information you have collected. Specifically, the "My Family Health Portrait" tool guides users through a series of screens that helps them compile information about six common diseases for each of their family members, as well as enter information about any other conditions not on the list that are of particular interest to the family. The tool focuses on six common diseases because a genetic contribution is known for each, and because a preventive strategy can be developed to avoid illnesses. The tool creates a graphic printout that organizes the information into a diagram or a chart that can be given to a health-care professional to better individualize diagnosis, treatment and prevention plans. The tool allows users to go back and add information as it becomes available and does not require complete information about every family member. The new version of the "My Family Health Portrait" tool is Web-based, which allows it to be operated on all computers with Internet access running any of several standard browsers, regardless of the computer's operating system. All personal information entered into the program resides on the user's computer only. No information is available to the federal government or any other agency. The new version also has the added feature of allowing users to reconfigure family health information to shift the focus from the person entering the information to other family members. This enables users to produce personalized diagrams or charts for all of their family members, who then can share the information with their health-care providers. Another new feature is the ability for users to highlight certain diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes, on their family health diagram or chart. In addition to the features that enhance customization of family health information, the updated version provides users with more background information on health conditions and includes more relevant details to assist health-care providers, such as a patient's height, weight and calculated body mass index (BMI). Users also will still have the option to download the original "My Family Health Portrait" software and install it on their computers if they have the Windows operating system. As is the case with the new, Web-based version of the tool, all personal information will reside on the user's computer only. Free, print versions of the tool are also available at the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA's) Information Center at 1-888- Ask HRSA (275-4772). Callers should ask for "My Family Health Portrait" in English (inventory # HRS00360) or Spanish (inventory # HRS00361). |wpl| Health Links For more information on how to gather your family’s health history and how that information can help you and other members of your family, log onto the web site of the U.S. Department of Health and Human services at: 3 www.hhs.gov/familyhistory Both the Web-based version and the old printed version of the family health history tool can be accessed from this site. THAT’S A QUESTION YOU MAY not have asked yourself very often, if ever. But, it’s one you should ask yourself at least once a year. We can’t stress enough the importance of regularly checking the beneficiaries listed on your life insurance policies. It is the only way to ensure that the people you want to receive the benefits of your life insurance are the ones who will receive it. Think about the changes that have occurred in your life since you purchased your life insurance. Getting married, having children, losing a loved one, getting divorced, getting remarried-all these life changes affect your responsibilities. Do the beneficiaries currently listed on your life insurance policies reflect such changes? If you think you need to update the beneficiaries listed on your policies--either primary or secondary beneficiaries-contact your WPA representative. Or, call our Home Office toll-free at 1-800-848-7366. William Penn Life, December 2005 7
