Several years ago, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched a campaign to raise public awareness of the importance of individuals knowing their family health history.  Since many diseases can run in families (cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc.), knowing your own family's history could help prevent your getting the disease and even save your life.  For more information, visit www.hhs.gov/familyhistory.  At your next family reunion, you'll have plenty to share!

By the way, here's an interesting tid bit about the American health insurance crisis.  According to the AARP Bulletin*, from 2005 to 2006, there was an increase of 2.2 million Americans without health insurance coverage.