The Role of the Family in Healthcare

Family members influence the health habits of each other.

Besides sharing you genes, your family has an important role to play in your health and well being by providing the environment in which you develop your eating habits and lifestyle preferences. Family also provides a support system during emotional crisis.

Medical History

Some diseases run in the family. According to the Genetic Home Reference, family medical history helps to identify individuals who are at risk of suffering from common disorders such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart strokes and cancer. This helps individuals to take preventive steps against those conditions.

Lifestyle

Family members influence the health habits of each other. Children mostly pick up the eating habits of their parents. Adolescents whose parents or siblings smoke are more likely to pick up the habit than those whose immediate relatives are non-smokers.

Miscellaneous

In certain medical conditions, especially those related to mental health or a disability, support of family members becomes very important in the recovery of a patient. Besides providing emotional support, family members are often required to help patients with physiotherapy at home in case of physical injury.

References

• Genetics Home Reference: Why is it Important to Know my Family Medical History?
• Family Impact Seminars: Family Focused Approach to Healthcare