Family health history (FHH) is an important component of a primary care visit. It is an independent and significant risk factor for many common, chronic conditions as well as rare genetic disorders, and it is often called the most basic genetic test. But it is not just a health concept; FHH involves lifestyle, environment, behavior, and culture.

The Does It Run In the Family? toolkit elaborates on all these components of FHH in addition to explaining basic genetics concepts and conditions that can run in the family.

Genetic Alliance invites HRSA-supported health centers to submit proposals to integrate the Does It Run In the Family? toolkit into their clinical care or outreach services. Applicants must receive some funding from the Bureau of Primary Health Care.

Read the Frequently Asked Questions and Answers. Revised 3/9/11

Download the full Request for Applications.
Download the budget template.

Timeline

Available Funding
Five to six health centers will receive $40,000 each to implement their proposed projects.

Project Objectives

• To increase health center provider and staff awareness and knowledge about the use and importance of family history in practice across the lifespan
• To promote use of the Does it Run in the Family? toolkit by health center providers and patients
• To increase communication about FHH in health center provider-patient discussions
• To improve health center provider/staff attitudes and satisfaction with integration of FHH into clinical practice
• To identify challenges and facilitators to integration of the toolkit and FHH in health centers
• To compare the effectiveness of strategies used by health centers to adapt the training and toolkit for integration into clinical practice

Background

• The Does It Run In the Family? toolkit is a product of the Community Centered Family Health History project. It is available in both English and Spanish.
• In 2008, Genetic Alliance distributed 10 CCFHH Program Awards to integrate the toolkit into ongoing programs and initiatives in diverse communities across the country. Breakdowns of those projects by target audience, evaluation method, and more can be found in WikiAdvocacy. These projects exemplified the accessible nature of family health history and its applicability in many different settings.

For more information, contact:
Vaughn Edelson, Programs Manager
Phone: 202.966.5557 x213
Email: vedelson@geneticalliance.org