Whereas, Early identification of individuals at risk for common diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and colon, breast and ovarian cancers, coupled with early intervention services and screening, may save lives and improve long term chances of a meaningful life; and, 

Whereas, Family members share genes, environment, lifestyles and habits, the combination of which determine their risk of common diseases, and evaluating aspects of family health history information, such as early age of onset, disease in more than one close relative, presence of disease in the gender not typically affected and certain combinations of diseases, can help identify shared risk factors, including genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors that predispose a person to common diseases; and,

Whereas, Two-thirds of Michigan adults believe that family health history is very important to their personal health; and,

Whereas, Only thirty-seven percent of Michigan adults have actively gathered their family's health history; and,

Whereas, U. S. Surgeon General Carmona first declared Thanksgiving to be National Family History Day in 2004 in an attempt to encourage families to gather their family's health history; and, 

Whereas, The Michigan Department of Community Health, the Michigan Surgeon General, the Michigan Cancer Genetics Alliance, the Michigan Association of Genetic Counselors, and the Michigan Center for Genomics and Public Health join the United States Surgeon General and dedicated health care professionals by participating in this promotion; and now therefore be it,       

Resolved, That, I, Jennifer Granholm of the State of Michigan, do hereby declare January 2007, as Family Health History Month.  I encourage all families to talk and share information about the health conditions that run in their families.  Learn about your family's health history, discuss with your health care provider, and take action to reduce risks for chronic disease to help ensure a longer and healthier future.