ABSTRACT Many tools facilitate gathering family health history (FHH) information. Public health initiatives have focused on improving FHH communication. Research indicates that tools remain largely unused in non-clinical settings and people tend to refrain from engaging in FHH communication. Research also indicates that cultural and family relationship factors influence FHH communication and tool use. This study investigated FHH tools as resources for FHH communication within Caucasian, Hispanic, and Pacific Islander families. Interviews with 10 family dyads from each racial/ethnic group included opportunities for participants to evaluate two FHH tools. Using structurating activity theory, the qualitative analysis revealed that participants viewed the tools as a structure for FHH information, a guide for how to communicate about FHH, and a source for stories about family health. Results are discussed in terms of how family system elements and social structures shape perceptions and use of FHH tools. Conclusions include implications for research and practice.

中文翻译：

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家庭健康史工具作为交流资源：白种人，西班牙裔和太平洋岛民家庭的视角

摘要许多工具有助于收集家庭健康史（FHH）信息。公共卫生举措的重点是改善FHH沟通。研究表明，这些工具在非临床环境中仍未使用，人们倾向于不参与FHH交流。研究还表明，文化和家庭关系因素会影响FHH沟通和工具使用。这项研究调查了FHH工具，作为白种人，西班牙裔和太平洋岛民家庭中FHH交流的资源。来自每个种族/族裔群体的10个家族双子的访谈为参与者提供了评估两种FHH工具的机会。使用结构活动理论，定性分析显示，参与者将工具视为FHH信息的结构，是有关FHH交流的指南，以及有关家庭健康的故事的来源。根据家庭系统要素和社会结构如何塑造观念和使用FHH工具来讨论结果。结论包括对研究和实践的启示。