Family Medical History
Exploring Our Roots—They Go Deep
The history of the Black community is marked by systemic racism, slavery, and discrimination that we are still navigating in the modern world. Our history is also marked by love, strength, unity and hope—tools we can use to redefine and uplift our community.
We believe you’ll agree with Uterine Care Collaborative when we say that we desire a better future for our children. We can create spaces where we turn inwardly to break cycles of chronic pain and disease, trauma, and suffering to ensure healthier lifestyles and outcomes for generations to come.
Exploring our family medical history is an ongoing opportunity to uncover patterns of chronic diseases that may have been passed down through generations. Increased health literacy within the Black community empowers us to be proactive in addressing these conditions and making informed decisions that can change the game for us all.
The question is—are you down with us?
Building Bonds. Revolutionizing Our Health.
When Kendrick Lamar said, “I wanna see the family stronger, I wanna see the money longer,” we loved that.
Black family life is characterized by formidable connections and often powered by storytelling.
Hear us out. What if we activate those bonds to better our health?
Sharing our experiences opens the door to life-changing knowledge that allows us to confront sensitive health topics, reduce stigma, and revolutionize the way we approach healthcare for better outcomes.
Asking All The Questions
How many of us were taught to stay out of grown folks’ business? We’re raising both of our hands. We imagine, though, that if we got accustomed to having uncomfortable conversations about health, we could incite change from the inside out.
We have a challenge for you. Set aside time to talk with your people—grandmothers, mothers, aunts, sisters, cousins—about their medical history. Ask very specific questions that could give you an idea of challenges that could arise for you or younger family members later on.
We started for you.
Here’s a list of questions you can ask your relatives about your family’s medical history:
Has anyone in our family been diagnosed with uterine cancer, PCOS, fibroids, or endometriosis?
Have any family members experienced irregular bleeding, pelvic pain, or infertility?
Are there any known genetic conditions or diseases that run in our family?
What was the age of onset for any health conditions diagnosed in our family?
Have any family members undergone hysterectomies or other gynecological surgeries?
Have there been any significant changes in menstrual cycles, such as early or late onset, irregular periods, heavy bleeding, or painful periods?
How many pregnancies and births has each family member experienced? Were there any complications related to pregnancy or childbirth?
At what age did female family members experience menopause? Were there any symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, or vaginal dryness?
What types of birth control have family members used? Were there any side effects or complications associated with birth control?
Have there been any instances of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or other sexually related health issues in the family?