My Family Health Tree and Me 
The six leading causes of death among Delaware residents are cancer, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, 
unintentional injuries, stroke and diabetes. 
Many of these killers - cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes - can be passed on from one 
generation to another. 
Mapping your family health history can help identify disease patterns and your health risks. 
The relationships shown below are intended to serve as a guide for the development of your 
family health tree. You may want to add family members to obtain a more complete family 
health profile. After you complete your family health tree, discuss it with your doctor. 
The good news is that advances in medical treatment and prevention are helping more Delaware
residents live longer, healthier lives. Isn’t it time to take charge of your health with the
knowledge from your family health tree? 
My Father’s Father  
Born: 
Died: 
Cause of death: 
Diseases: 
My Father’s Mother
Born: 
Died: 
Cause of death: 
Diseases: 
My Mother’s Father  
Born: 
Died: 
Cause of death: 
Diseases:
My Mother’s Mother 
Born: 
Died: 
Cause of death: 
Diseases: 
My Father’s Brother/Sister 
Born: 
Died: 
Cause of death: 
Diseases: 
My Father  
Born:  
Died:  
Cause of death:  
Diseases: 
My Mother
Born:
Died:
Cause of death:
Diseases: 
My Mother’s Sister/Brother 
Born: 
Died: 
Cause of death: 
Diseases: 
My Paternal Cousin 
Born: 
Died: 
Cause of death: 
Diseases: 
My Sister/Brother 
Born: 
Died: 
Cause of death: 
Diseases: 
Me   
Born:   
Died:  
Cause of death:  
Diseases: 
My Spouse
Born:
Died:
Cause of death:
Diseases:
My Maternal Cousin
Born:
Died:
Cause of death:
Diseases:
My Son/Daughter 
Born: 
Died: 
Cause of death: 
Diseases: 
My Son/Daughter 
Born: 
Died: 
Cause of death: 
Diseases: 
My Son/Daughter 
Born: 
Died: 
Cause of death: 
Diseases: 
My Son/Daughter 
Born: 
Died: 
Cause of death: 
Diseases: 
“What gift has Providence bestowed on man 
that is so dear to him as his children?” 
—Cicero 
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Take Charge of Your Health: Know Your Family Enemies! 
High Blood Pressure (Also known as Hypertension) 
Know your blood pressure number and control it. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause 
heart disease, stroke, diabetes, blindness and death. If you don’t know your blood pressure 
number, talk to your doctor today and find out. If your blood pressure is higher than 120/80, 
write it below and work with your doctor to lower it. 
DATE          YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE           WHERE YOU NEED TO BE 
_____________ _____________________________ 120/80 
_____________ _____________________________ 120/80 
_____________ _____________________________ 120/80 
Blood Cholesterol 
Know your blood cholesterol level and control it. Uncontrolled high blood cholesterol puts 
you at risk for a heart attack and death. If you don’t know your cholesterol number, talk to 
your doctor today and find out. If your cholesterol number is higher than 200, write it 
below and work with your doctor to lower it. 
DATE          YOUR CHOLESTEROL NUMBER       WHERE YOU NEED TO BE 
_____________ _____________________________ 200 or lower 
_____________ _____________________________ 200 or lower 
_____________ _____________________________ 200 or lower 
Blood Sugar Number (Also know as Glucose) 
Know your blood sugar level and control it. Uncontrolled high blood sugar can cause heart 
attack, stroke, nerve damage, blindness, sexual problems, poor blood circulation, amputations 
and death. If you don’t know your blood sugar number, talk to your doctor today and find out. 
If your blood sugar number is higher than 120, write it below and work with your doctor to 
lower it. 
DATE          YOUR BLOOD SUGAR NUMBER       WHERE YOU NEED TO BE 
_____________ _____________________________ 80-120 
_____________ _____________________________ 80-120 
_____________ _____________________________ 80-120 
My Family Health
Tree and Me
Knowing the diseases on 
your family health tree can 
help you take charge of your health 
and live a healthier, longer life. 
“Life is a flame that is always burning 
 itself out, but it catches fire again every
 time a child is born.”
 —George Bernard Shaw
DELAWARE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES 
Division of Public Health 
Office of Minority Health 
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