Contest encourages learning health data

The Utah Department of Health hopes all Utahns will include talk of family health history in their family gatherings during the holidays. And it's emphasizing the importance of gathering health information with a "Tell Us Your Story!" contest.

The contest invites Utahns to learn about their family health history and then submit a story about how this has impacted their lives. Stories may be submitted as a written essay, video or photograph. The contest deadline is Jan. 8.

Bountiful resident Marian Gleason shares her story to encourage others to learn about their health history and take action to prevent diseases. Her grandparents, parents, uncles and several of her nine brothers and sisters suffered and in some cases died of heart attacks in their early 40s and 50s.

Had they all known their history and what signs to watch out for, she says, they could have made lifestyle changes.

Ten winners each will receive a free one-hour consultation at the Family History Library, where a professional genealogist will give custom advice on their personal research. Winners will be announced by Jan. 31. Prizes have been donated by Heirlines Family History and Genealogy.

Chronic health problems like heart disease, stroke, asthma, cancer and diabetes tend to run in families. When close family members have the same health problem or develop an illness at a younger age than expected, other family members can be at higher risk of developing the same conditions.

For more information regarding the Tell Us Your Story! contest or how to collect a family health history, visit www.health.utah. gov/genomics or call Jenny Johnson at 801-538-9416.