GCAT_family health

INCLUSION OF FAMILIES IN THE GCAT PROJECT

Family members share genes, which manifest as physical similarities but also as diseases.
In addition, it is within the family that people acquire daily habits, which affect our biological environment such as, for example, the composition of our microbiota.
Genes and family environment can help us to understand epigenetic manifestations which affect the way common genes present themselves.

• Why include members of the same family? We know that many diseases (cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, etc) pass from generation to generation. It is also well-known that many diseases occur more frequently in certain families but not all family members develop the disease and, if they do, it presents differently. The possibility of comparing the genes of family members will allow us to analyse how environmental determinants can affect health in a compact nucleus.
• Who is this family health initiative aimed at? Biological families, father-mother-child or twins. Participants must meet GCAT's basic requirements. All family members must have a Health Card and be resident in Catalonia. In the case of nuclear families, the father and mother must be aged between 40 and 65 and the son/daughter must be of legal age.
• How can you and your family get involved in this initiative? We have already completed the recruitment of families for this project.