Adding Medical Information to Genealogies

I have an important issue I’d like to put before the members;

It is vital that we begin adding medical information to our genealogical data; In addition to where and when relatives were born, married, and died, medical conditions  should be included.  Even with current
technology, this will surely mean the difference between life and death in some cases, and will assist the early diagnosis of genetically carried diseases.

This sort of knowledge probably saved my life some years back; Knowing my uncle had all his teeth pulled, one by one, before they realized it was his heart causing the trouble, enabled me to understand what was happening to me and seek treatment early enough to prevent a heart attack when I suddenly at the same age
of forty, woke up with strange pains across the back of my shoulders and in my lower jaw one night.

My wife’s aunt, 83 years old, upon seeing my seven-year-old daughter with a patch over her left eye to treat “lazy eye”, commented “I had that same eye patched at the same age.” Obviously, this is a genetic
predispostion.

Any health data is potentially vital to showing a genetic redisposition.  If enough of the same markers show up in a number of people, it signals a red flag-a place to be especially aware of.

So, I hope you will agree that provisions need to be made for recording health data - what diseases a person has or had, including date of onset and symptoms, and allergic or side effect reactions to
medications. This should be done for members living and deceased, and listed in obituaries as well.

This would have the side benefit of bringing practical relevance to Geneology, making converts out of most of those who view it as strictly an odd hobby with no relevance to the present.

-Anthony Hoffman