Genetics - Kankakee County Health Department

Genetics

THE GENETICS PROGRAM

The Kankakee County Health Department (KCHD), along with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) coordinate Genetic services for families in the community “who may have a family history of, or concern about a medical condition with a genetic basis.” (IDPH, 2023).

KCHD strives to identify high-risk clients, increase community awareness, provide educational resources, and link families to local and state agencies with support from the IDPH Genetics Grant Program.

RN Case Managers counsel all pregnant women and women of childbearing age on the importance of folic acid, linkage to primary care physicians (PCP) for ongoing preventative care and follow-up on all abnormal Newborn Screenings and Newborn Hearing Screens.

WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM GENETIC SERVICES?

Any woman of childbearing age or who is currently pregnant may gain helpful information for use in decision making from genetic services if any of the following apply: (IDPH, 2008)

is older than the age of 35 years
father of the baby is 45 years or older
has abnormal prenatal test or screening results
has diabetes, seizures, or unmanaged medical conditions
is currently taking prescription medications
is exposed to cigarettes, alcohol or illicit drugs
is exposed to harmful substances in the workplace
is related by blood to her partner
history of two or more miscarriages, a stillbirth or a baby who died
ethnic predisposition to certain genetic disorders
previous pregnancy or child affected by birth defect(s), genetic condition, intellectual disabilities
family history of inherited genetic disorder

Please contact the Genetics program at the Kankakee County Health Department for any questions.
Phone: (815) 802-9400
Fax: (815) 802-9321

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DOES IT RUN IN THE FAMILY?

You and your family share genes. Genes are the instructions inside each of your cells that make you unique. Families also share habits, environment, and diet.

At your next family gathering why not talk to family members about your family’s health history to get a complete picture of diseases and lifestyle choices that may impact your overall health. Visit https://doesitruninthefamily.org/ for free booklets that can help you start the conversation and guide you on what information to collect.

(English and Spanish versions available).

The Surgeon General’s web-based tool “My Family Health Portrait” can help keep track of the information. https://cbiit.github.io/FHH/html/index.html

Share what you learn with your healthcare provider, “who can help you take steps to prevent disease and catch it early if it develops” (CDC, 2023).

Visit the following websites for additional information.

CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/famhistory/index.htm

https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/famhistory/knowing_not_enough.htm

March of Dimes

https://marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/planning-baby/your-family-health-history

LINKS TO RESOURCES ON GENETICS

FAMILY & CHILD

Baby’s First Test

https://www.babysfirsttest.org/newborn-screening/screening-community

Early Hearing Detection & Intervention