Officials: Thanksgiving is a time to talk health

SPRINGFIELD — Health officials say Thanksgiving isn’t just a time for food and family.

The Illinois Department of Public Health says it’s also a good time to share health histories in the family.

Dr. Craig Conover is the department’s acting director. He says talking about health histories can help people learn about inherited diseases.

Health officials suggest talking with family members about birth defects, childhood health problems, and common adult disease like cancer and heart disease, among other topics.

The U.S. Surgeon General has declared Thanksgiving as National Family History Day.