Relevance:
Knowing your family's health history can help prevent disease and support lifelong wellness—but many families don’t know where to begin. In Kentucky, only 12% of adults are considered proficient in health literacy, which can lead to missed screenings, mismanaged conditions, and confusion during medical emergencies. At the same time, nearly one in three Kentuckians have reported delaying care due to lack of information or preparedness. Additionally, Kentucky ranks among the top 10 states for preventable hospitalizations, highlighting the urgent need for tools that help families plan, communicate, and take proactive steps in managing their health. The Health & Safety Organizer, a long-standing Extension publication, has served as a trusted tool for managing household records and emergency contacts. Recognizing the need to support preventive care and family health planning, the resource is now being updated to include new sections that empower families to better understand and track their family health history.

Response:
Through feedback from Extension educators and community members, it became clear that families wanted a way to document important health details beyond emergency contacts. In response, the publication team collaborated with health professionals to add user-friendly tools for recording family medical history, including checklists and prompts related to chronic diseases, medications, and major diagnoses.  The updates place a strong emphasis on real-life situations families face—like accessing affordable care, responding to a diagnosis, or managing chronic conditions—in a community-oriented manner. The goal is to support families in becoming active participants in their health care and to strengthen local networks of care through shared knowledge and preparedness.

Results:
The updated Health & Safety Organizer will undergo pilot testing in Fall 2025 through select Extension agents across the state. These agents will provide feedback on its clarity, usability, and impact. In addition, community coalitions focused on health literacy and disease prevention will review the revised organizer to ensure that it meets the needs of diverse families and supports public health goals. Early previews have already generated enthusiasm, with educators highlighting its potential to promote intergenerational conversations and encourage preventive screenings. Insights gathered from these pilot efforts will guide final improvements before the statewide release in early 2026. The revised publication is also slated to be featured as an upcoming Homemaker Leader Lesson through the Management and Safety Committee of the Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association as part of the 2026–2029 Plan of Work, ensuring long-term community engagement and reach.

Public Value Statement:
By helping families document and understand their health history, this updated tool promotes prevention, early detection, and informed decision-making—key pillars of a healthier Kentucky.