Talk to your family
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Talk to Your Family

Having a conversation with your relatives is a great way to learn about your family's health history and how it can affect the future.

Sample question:

  • When and where were you born? Tell me about your neighborhood.
  • Did you experience any health conditions (ex: allergies) or illnesses as a child?
  • Did you have children? How many? How old are they now?
  • What do you remember about your grandparents? What did they die from and how old were they?
  • Did anyone in your family take medications on a regular basis?
  • What was a typical family dinner at your house?
  • Are there any health conditions that "run in your family"?
  • Who is in you family that you are biologically related to? How long have you known them?
  • What makes your family unique?
  • Is there anything else you would like to tell me about your family?


Tip: Family members may not clearly identify all diseases or illnesses. Ask questions that invite family members to describe events and behaviors that might suggest health issues. For example, an uncle who, "never went outside" might suggest a disease that prevented him from walking or he may have suffered from depression.

Tips for Interviewing Relatives