More Resources
Some great resources organized around your specific needs.
Featured Resources
- PEBB Benefits
The state of Washington, through the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) program, provides medical, dental, life, and long-term disability coverage (and offers optional insurances) through private health insurance plans to eligible state and higher-education employees as a benefit of employment.
- Washington Health Foundation: Events Calendar
Find an activity or health-related event in your area.
- Leapfrog: For Consumers
Information on quality care initiatives.
- Mayo Clinic
General health information.
- Washington Health Foundation: Track Your Success
Track yourself online.
- WebMD
General health information.
Featured Resources
- Seniors and Good Health
Explore the National Institute of Health's special website for seniors for information and tips on how to stay healthy and fit.
Other Resources
Resources for Kids
- Nutrition: Get Kids Involved in Eating More Fruits & Veggies
- Nutrition: Healthy Eating For Kids
- Tobacco: Preventing Youth from Beginning Tobacco Use
Family Health History
Knowing your family history can improve your health - and may save your life. One of the best ways to predict the possibility of developing a chronic illness or having a child with a genetic condition is having a family history of that condition. Learning about your family's health history will lend valuable clues about your potential health future.
You can't change your genes, but you can change behaviors that affect your health, such as smoking, inactivity, and poor eating habits. There are also reproductive options available that may reduce the risk of having a child with a genetic disorder. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, people with a family health history of chronic disease may have the most to gain from making lifestyle changes. In many cases, making these changes can reduce your risk of disease even if the disease runs in your family.
Another change you can make is to participate in screening tests, such as mammograms and colorectal cancer screening, for early detection of disease. People who have a family health history of a chronic disease or genetic condition may benefit the most from screening tests that look for risk factors or early signs of disease. Finding disease early, before symptoms appear, can mean better health in the long run. That's why it's important for your health care provider to know your family health history as well.
You can download the U.S. Surgeon General's Family Health Portrait to record your family's health history. Just print it out and fill it in. It allows you to document illnesses that run in your family - such as cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, disabilities, and other medical conditions. Once you have completed a family health history, share it with your doctor. If your doctor knows about your family's history of disease, he or she can help you make informed choices about health screenings, lifestyle changes, and other prevention efforts.