Among things many families don't wish to pass down to their children and grandchildren: medical issues. One in five parents say their child has been diagnosed with a hereditary condition, while nearly half expressed concerns about their child potentially developing such a condition, a new national poll suggests. And two thirds of parents want their healthcare provider to suggest ways to prevent their child from developing a health problem that runs in the family, according to the University of Michigan Health C.
S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health. This report reflects the need for parents to be equipped with accurate information about their family health history.
Parents play a key role in understanding and addressing their child's health concerns, including those related to hereditary conditions." Sarah Clark, M.P.
H., Mott Poll co-director The nationally representative report is based on 2,057 responses of parents of children ages one to 18 years surveyed in February 2024. Health history knowledge may help reduce risk A quarter of parents say they have asked healthcare providers to test or examine their child for conditions based on their family history, and 7% say they sought genetic testing for their child.
Parents polled think family history puts their child at higher risk for allergies (41%), mental health conditions (33%), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (23%), obesity (22%), heart disease (20%), cancer (20%), alcoholism (18%), autoim.