During the Lunar New Year holiday, families come together, often sharing stories that lead to discussions about health. By paying more attention to health topics, family members can gain insights into maintaining their own health. Families are likely to share not only genetic traits but also similar lifestyles and environmental exposures, which can increase the risk of certain diseases. Identifying specific illnesses that family members are particularly susceptible to can guide individuals in disease prevention, lifestyle improvement, and necessary health check-ups.

Family health history refers to situations where several members of a family exhibit similar diseases. This might involve two or more individuals across three generations—direct descendants or cousins—being affected by the same illness. While genetic and environmental factors both play a role in health history, it differs from hereditary diseases, which have a clear genetic cause. In contrast, family health history incorporates various factors such as diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, living environment, and occupation, leading to a complex interplay of modifiable risks.

Health experts recommend that when families gather, they should take the opportunity to check in on each other's health and create a 'family health tree.' This tree should ideally include three generations of direct relatives starting from grandparents down to siblings and possibly even distant relatives, enhancing the breadth of the assessment. By including a wide range of family members, individuals can better comprehend their own health risks and improve their preventive health strategies based on family health patterns.