TEAM UP WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

Getting healthy and staying healthy starts with you and your doctor, nurse or health care provider. People who have good relationships with their health care team often are happier with their care and have better results. Here are some ways to help you team up to improve your health care.

• Before your appointment, make a list of what you want to ask.

• Write and bring a copy of your family health history.
• Always bring a list of medicines you take, including over the counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.
• Be honest about your diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol or drug use, and sexual history.
• Describe any allergies to drugs, foods, pollen, or other things.
• Don’t forget to mention if other health care providers, including mental health professionals, are treating you.
• Ask about your medicines. Make sure you understand how to use them.
• Ask questions. If you don’t, your health care provider may think you understand completely.
• Bring a family member or friend with you. They can take notes, offer moral support, and help you remember what was said.
• Many insurance plans pay for annual and preventive care visits. Take advantage!

family health history

In addition to sharing holiday customs, family members share genes, behaviors, lifestyles, and environments that may affect their health and their risk of disease.

Did you know that your family history might affect how likely you are to get heart disease, diabetes, cancer or have a stroke? People who have a close family member with one of these illnesses may be more likely to get that disease than those without this family history.

Even if you are healthy now, knowing your family health history and sharing it with your health care team can help you understand your risk and how to avoid getting sick.

Give your loved ones the gift of your family health history.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/talking-your-doctor-guide-older-people

www.nei.nih.gov/health/talktodoc.asp

www.hhs.gov/familyhistory

www.cdc.gov/genomics/famhistory

www.familyhistory.hhs.gov/fhh-web/home.action