Keeping Track of Your Family Medical History
Did you know that the NIH has an online (and secure!) Web site that you can use to track your family’s medical history? Why is this important? Many diseases and tendencies toward diseases are genetic, meaning hereditary, and this site can help you track the information to tell healthcare provider about.
This report is convenient as you can fill it out as you discover information about medical issues in your family’s past that are pertinent to your own health today and tomorrow. It can then be printed and presented to your physician as you discuss ways to lower your risks for the diseases you are most likely to contract over time.
If you are skittish about using a Web site for this purpose, the NIH has provided downloadable software at no charge. Your information will not be on the NIH site but will be on your computer for your convenience. The site and software are provided in both English and Spanish.
What is the NIH?
Ask anyone in the United States what the CDC is, or what the FDA is, and they will most likely be able to tell you. But ask them what the NIH is and you might get a blank stare. The NIH is the National Institute of Health. It is part of the Department of Health & Human Services and they state that they are “The Nation’s Medical Research Agency.” This means that this is the 
firstline agency in the US Government to conduct and sponsor the medical research that determines our healthcare of tomorrow.
The NIH works with a budget of $28 billion and 80% of that goes into medical grants at various colleges and universities in the US and around the world to conduct research. Over 3,000 institutions receive this funding. Another 10% goes to NIH research facilities. The amounts that go to each disease or condition being researched are, of course, a matter of public record and can be found online.
The NIH consists of 27 institutes and centers. Among them the public is probably the most familiar with the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute on Aging, and the National Institute of Mental Health. (Remember “The Secret of NIMH? Yes, that is them!) A complete listing is online.
NIH MISSION
NIH is the steward of medical and behavioral research for the Nation. Its mission is science in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability.
That’s a lot of money and a lot of lofty goals. Has the NIH succeeded in their mission? Reading the 2007 recap of research lists some pretty exciting breakthroughs and insights. Medical research is a painstakingly difficult job and each time a conclusion is reached, our odds of a better tomorrow go up. And although they might not do everything right, and who does, they are making strides to discover more about illness and how humanity can live longer and healthier lives.
Certainly an organization worth knowing!
What is the NIH?
Funding for Various Diseases and Conditions
The Institutes and Centers of the NIH
Questions Frequently Asked about the NIH
Photo courtesy of NIH
Human Microbiome Project Launched
First it was the Human Genome Project; that seemed like something in a science fiction novel but it was not only completed, it was completed ahead of schedule. The Genome Project is helping scientists and researchers explore some of the greatest mysteries of human genetics and new information is learned every day.
Now it is the Human Microbiome Project. This is a study of all the microorganisms that live within the human body and although there are trillions of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms, they only make up one to two percent of the human body’s mass. What I found truly amazing is that there are more microbial cells in the human body than there are human cells! Some of these are beneficial and some cause disease; none are completely understood.
genome
1. The total genetic content contained in a haploid set of chromosomes in eukaryotes, in a single chromosome in bacteria, or in the DNA or RNA of viruses.huh?
How about this?
2. An organism’s genetic material.American Heritage Dictionary
“The human microbiome is largely unexplored. It is essential that we understand how microorganisms interact with the human body to affect health and disease. This project has the potential to transform the ways we understand human health and prevent, diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions.”
NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D.
The Human Microbiome Project will be a five year study with a total of $115 million in grants funding the research.
NIH Launches Human Microbiome Project