Family history has valuable information about a person's past and future life. It can be used as a powerful screening tool to help you make decisions about genetic testing for you and your at-risk family members. Family history can identify potential health conditions for which an individual is at increased risk during their lifetime. With early identification, you can start taking steps to reduce the risk, including lifestyle changes, diet and exercise. In many cases, simply adopting a healthier lifestyle can reduce your risk of family diseases. Your genetic information determines which genes you inherit that may cause or increase your risk of developing certain medical conditions. My family genogram clearly indicates the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D), heart disease (HD), hypercholesterolemia (HC) and hypertension (HTN). Heart diseases are indicated on both the maternal and paternal side and although T2DM only appears on the paternal side, other diseases such as HC and HTN which are on the maternal side are risk factors for developing diabetes. According to Pessoa Marinho et al. (2013), genetic and environmental risk factors that influence the development of T2DM are: “age, sex, ethnicity, family history, obesity, inactivity, gestational diabetes, macrosomia , hypertension, decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, increased triglycerides, cardiovascular disease, micropolycystic ovarian syndrome, elevated blood sugar on previous tests, impaired glucose tolerance and glycated hemoglobin level ≥ 5, 7%” (Pessoa Marinho et al., 2013, p. 570). Bianco et al. (2013) states: "maternal influence confirms the hereditary role in the pathogenesis of diabetes that women with a positive family history of the disease presented... middle of article ......es of the development of these diseases. Although family history provides information about risk for specific health problems, having a family history of certain medical conditions does not mean you will develop the same conditions. Illness is not imminent, by changing your lifestyle your health can be controlled and your risks reduced by changing behaviors that increase your chances. ConclusionFamily health history can reveal the history of illness in your family and allow you to identify patterns that may be relevant to your own health. These conditions are influenced by a combination of genetic factors, environmental conditions and lifestyle choices. It's impossible to change family history or genes, but knowing that certain diseases run in your family can be an incentive to decrease other factors that, when combined, further increase risk..