What happens when you don't know your family medical history? | BBC News

This BBC News report looks at how missing medical and childhood records affect adopted and care-experienced people. Gaps in family medical history can affect access to healthcare, including identifying inherited conditions and getting an autism assessment. In some cases, people unaware of genetic conditions may be at serious risk. BBC journalist Sophia Watkins travelled across the UK to meet adopted and care-experienced people. The report covers how gaps in their records have affected their lives and the steps they have taken to find answers.

• Missing family medical and childhood records can affect healthcare access
• Gaps may delay identifying inherited or genetic conditions
• Autism assessments can also be affected by missing information
• BBC journalist Sophia Watkins met adopted and care-experienced people across the UK

Do you know your family medical history? For hundreds of thousands of care-experienced people, the answer isn’t always straightforward. Missing medical and childhood information can affect access to healthcare, from identifying inherited conditions to getting an autism assessment. In some cases, the consequences can be life-threatening, with people unaware of genetic conditions that could put them at serious risk. BBC journalist Sophia Watkins travelled across the UK to meet adopted and care-experienced people, hearing how gaps in their records have affected their lives and what they’ve done to find answers. Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news #BBCNews #Adoption #CareLeaver