resources
Other organizations provide extensive educational materials for patients and families dealing with genetic conditions. Our specialists encourage families to find support through the following websites and organizations.
Why it's important to check your family's medical history [1]
What is a genetic counselor? [2]
US surgeon general family health history initiative [4]
National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) patient resource [5]
community education presentations
Tracey Jackson BS, MST
Genetic Health Educator
Jacksont1@childrensdayton.org [6]
937-641-3800
presentations for high school students:
- Introduction to genetic conditions and inheritance: Our program offers an introduction to genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis, Sickle Cell Anemia, and Fragile X syndrome.
- Preventable birth defects: We will educate students on the importance of making great choices now that could impact their future generations. Healthy habits formed now lead to healthy offspring later.
- Infant mortality prevention Our goal is to reach all high school students with the message of the importance of safe sleep, healthy behaviors and good prenatal care to help reduce Ohio’s infant mortality rate.
Take this survey for High School Students on Infant Mortality [7] after our presentation
presentations for the adult community:
- Focus on preventable birth defects: It is important for all women of reproductive age to be educated on healthy choices, including importance of folic acid, abstaining from alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. Approximately 49 percent of pregnancies are unplanned which increases the risk of problems for the baby and mother.The department of medical genetics at Dayton Children’s offers a presentation to educate the community on the importance of making healthy choices before and during pregnancy. This presentation focuses on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), folic acid education to help prevent birth defects, and resources for women who need help making these healthy choices.
- Focus on hereditary cancer and cardiovascular disease: Knowing your family history can help to determine your risk for inheriting various hereditary conditions. For example, if you have a family history of cancer, you and your relatives may have an increased risk of developing it too. The higher your risk, the more you need close medical follow-up to help prevent problems and ensure early diagnosis. There are hereditary forms of most types of cancer, including breast, ovarian, colorectal, skin and prostate cancers. There are also hereditary forms of some types of heart problems, including congenital heart disease, arrhythmias, and cardiomyopathies. The department of medical genetics at Dayton Children’s offers a presentation on the importance of knowing your family history in order to determine YOUR risk for these conditions.
presentations for health care providers
Our genetic counselors and physicians are available to present to nurses, PAs, physicians and other health care providers on any topic of interest in genetics.