Genomics|Family History|Resources|Diabetes and Family Health

Genomics|Family History|Resources|Diabetes and Family Health

Family History

Diabetes brochure

Does diabetes run in your family?
Take steps towards better health!

 

Diabetes is:

• Common, especially among Hispanics or Latinos
  Diabetes occurs when the level of sugar in your blood remains too high.


• Serious
  Diabetes is linked to heart disease, kidney problems, stroke, blindness, lower leg amputations, and other health problems.


• Controllable
  If you have diabetes, ask your doctor about:
  
  
  
  • eating healthier and becoming more active,
  
  
  • controlling the level of sugar and fat in your blood,
  
  
  • controlling your blood pressure, and
  
  
  • getting regular exams of your eyes, feet, kidneys, and hemoglobin A1C.
    
  
  
  
  

You’re more likely to get diabetes if:

• You have family members with diabetes


• You have poor eating habits


• You are obese or inactive
  
  

What you can do:

• Know your family history
  Find out if you have relatives with diabetes and at what age they found out about their disease.


• Talk with your doctor
  
  
  
  • Tell your doctor about your family history of diabetes.
  
  
  • Ask your doctor about your other risk factors for diabetes.
  
  
  • Ask your doctor about possible ways to reduce your risk of diabetes.
  
  
  
  

For more information about diabetes and healthy lifestyles, visit or call:

• www.cdc.gov/diabetes
  1-800-CDC-INFO
  (1-800-232-4636)


• www.diabetes.org
  1-800-DIABETES
  (1-800-342-2383)

To record your family history and create a family tree, visit:

• http://familyhistory.hhs.gov

Special thanks to the National Council of La Raza’s Institute for Hispanic Health.