Research suggests that genetic factors contribute to the cause, severity, and response to treatment of nearly every type of illness, including sarcoidosis. As research continues, we all learn more about the role of genes in chronic diseases experienced throughout a lifetime.

Family health history reflects the combination of shared genes, environment, behavior and culture. Keeping your family health history organized is important because it may help identify if you or others in your family are at increased risk for certain diseases.

Americans know that family history is important to health. A recent survey found that 96 percent of Americans believe that knowing their family history is important. Yet, the same survey found that only one-third of Americans have ever tried to gather and write down their family's health history.

Today almost everyone has access to a free personalized genomic tool that the New England Journal of Medicine says 'captures the interactions of genes and environmental factors and can serve as the cornerstone for individualized disease prevention'.

My Family Health Portrait allows individuals to create a personalized family health history report. Developed in collaboration between the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General and the National Human Genome Research Institute, the free program guides you through steps on how to collect and enter family health history and results in a printed family health portrait similar in format to a genetic family tree. Both the chart and the drawing can be printed and shared with your family members or your healthcare professional.

For more information on this program visit: https://familyhistory.hhs.gov/.