Thursday may be Thanksgiving, but it's also National Family History Day. State officials say families should take advantage of holiday get-togethers to learn more about their family members' health history.
Melaney Arnold is a spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Public Health. She says knowing if there is a background of common diseases can aid prevention and is important information for physicians.
"It's good to do it in a relaxed environment, so normally during the holidays when the entire family is together at Thanksgiving. Start by asking some simple questions such as, 'Do you have any chronic illnesses: heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes?" Arnold said.
The Illinois public health agency's websiteoffers a form to organize details of your family's health.