- New global study1 from Bupa reveals families are not passing on vital health information, leaving them unaware about their predisposition to genetic conditions
- Just 15% of adults have discussed genetic risk of illness with grandparents, and fewer than one in four (24%) adults have had conversations about family health with the next generation
- Nearly four in five (79%) healthcare professionals say that more lives could be saved if patients had better knowledge of their family health history
- With three in four adults having a higher-than-average genetic risk of developing conditions which can be managed through screening or lifestyle changes, Bupa urges families to have more conversations about genetic health
New research from Bupa, the international healthcare company, reveals missed opportunities for earlier diagnosis and treatment across hundreds of genetic conditions due to families not discussing their health histories.
The global studies of over 8,000 adults1 and 169 healthcare professionals2 revealed that one in seven (14%)3 people have never spoken to their relatives about their family health history.
The silent risk
Despite the majority of adults (87%)4 saying that family health conversations are important, fewer than one in four (24%)5 adults have discussed family health genetic risk factors, which could be passed on, with the next generation.
Just one in six (15%)6 adults recall having health conversations with their grandparents, despite the significant role full family health histories play in early diagnosis and managing genetic health risks. However, two thirds (64%) of adults have discussed family health with their parents. Even if they were diagnosed with a genetic condition, only half (51%)7 of adults would be likely to initiate a conversation with their family, with one in six (15%)8 saying they would not discuss a diagnosis or condition with their family out of fear of worrying their loved ones.
Iñaki Ereño, Group CEO of Bupa, said: “Too many of us around the world are still not talking about our family health histories, even though these conversations can be lifesaving. Understanding your wider family’s medical background can give your healthcare provider crucial insight, leading to earlier diagnoses, personalised treatment options and, in many cases, preventive action that can reduce future health risks.
“Relatives often avoid these discussions because they feel uncomfortable or don’t know how to broach the topic, or they assume there’s nothing they can do about it if they are at risk. Starting an open conversation with your family about health is one of the most effective things you can do to protect your own health and your family’s.”
Family health conversations save lives
With genetic information being used to support treatment and diagnosis, silence around family health can have serious consequences and could mean people miss opportunities to take preventative steps sooner.
Nearly four in five (79%) healthcare professionals surveyed said that more lives could be saved if patients had better knowledge of their family health history and a majority (83%) agreed that family health history is important in their clinical decision-making.
Nearly seven in ten (68%) said that understanding a patient’s family health history is critical to delivering personalised care, with major benefits including identifying higher genetic risk (80%), recommending screening for those at risk (73%), and tailoring treatments (58%).
Barriers to health conversations
Three in ten (30%)9 of those who have not started a conversation with family say it is because they simply never thought to ask, and one in five (20%)10 share that their family does not openly talk about health.
Concerningly, over a third (35%)11 of adults believe there is nothing they can do to manage their risk of developing a genetically linked condition. However, data from Bupa’s global genomics programme shows that 75% of people have polygenic markers linked to a higher-than-average risk of developing conditions like high cholesterol, hypertension or type 2 diabetes - risks that can be managed through screening or lifestyle changes.
Among healthcare professionals, half (50%) reported that the major reason why patients do not have conversations with family members about their health histories is that they do not realise many illnesses or diseases can be passed on through families.
Bupa is working with psychologist and behavioural expert Dr. Sherry Pagoto to help break down barriers which stop families having conversations about their health and genetic risk factors.
Dr Sherry Pagoto, Clinical Psychologist and Professor in the Department of Allied Health Sciences in the University of Connecticut, said: "When we find something daunting, especially when it’s a big unknown, our tendency can sometimes be to avoid it, even if we know it’s important. This applies to conversations about family health history, which many people find difficult or awkward to initiate. However, we need to make having conversations about health a normal part of life, to break down the taboo, so that more people are armed with the knowledge they need to take steps which could save their life – or a family member’s life.”
Bupa’s global genomics programme launched in 2024 and has so far analysed the DNA of 12,340 participants across the UK, Spain and Poland. It focuses only on conditions where preventive action can be taken - and provides participants with clear, personalised insights into their genetic risk, along with expert guidance from a Bupa clinician on how to manage that risk. All participants are offered a tailored plan and ongoing support which could involve lifestyle changes, targeted screening, or medical intervention.
About Bupa’s Global Genomics Programme
Bupa aims to deliver 250,000 genetic tests by the end of 2027. These will include pharmacogenomic testing (Med check), polygenic risk testing, and whole-genome sequencing. Our whole-genome sequencing product will be commercially available in 2026 in the UK, Spain Australia and Poland. It identifies risk of disease across more than 36 conditions including 10 cancers. Results from an initial programme of whole-genome sequencing for 14,000 customers across the UK, Spain and Poland are:
So far:
- 12,340 people have now had their genome sequenced and analysed
- 75% of participants have elevated polygenic risk (e.g. for diabetes, hypertension)
- 5% have high-risk monogenic variants linked to cancers and CVD
- Nearly 100% carry genetic variants that affect medication response
- 58% unsuited to common prescribed blood thinners such as acenocoumarol, fenprocumon, and warfarin, which are used to treat thrombosis, heart attacks, and strokes
- 28% unsuited to common prescribed antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications.
About Bupa
Established in 1947, Bupa's purpose is helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world. We are an international healthcare company serving over 60 million customers worldwide. With no shareholders, we reinvest profits into providing more and better healthcare for the benefit of current and future customers. Bupa has businesses around the world, principally in Australia, the UK, Spain, Poland, Chile, Hong Kong SAR, India, Türkiye, Brazil, Mexico and New Zealand. We also have associate businesses in Saudi Arabia.
Methodology
1 Research conducted by Ipsos in the UK on behalf of Bupa among a representative quota sample 8,365 adults across the UK (2,143), Australia (2,000), Spain (2,110) and Poland (2,112) using its online i:omnibus. Fieldwork took place between 5th to 19th September 2025. The sample obtained is representative of the population with interlocking quotas on age within gender, and quotas on region and working status. The data has been weighted to the known offline population proportions within each market.
2 Research across 169 healthcare professionals conducted by Bupa across its global network of healthcare professionals.
3 Market range: Spain – 11%; Australia – 12%; Poland – 15%; UK: 17%
4 Market range: Poland – 75%; Spain – 91%; UK: 91%; Australia – 93%
5 Market range: Spain – 23%; UK: 23%; Poland – 24%; Australia – 27%
6 Market range: UK: 12%; Australia – 15%; Spain – 17%; Poland – 17%
7 Market range: Poland – 45%; Spain – 50%; UK: 55%; Australia – 55%
8 Market range: Australia – 15%; Poland – 16%; Spain – 16%; UK: 17%
9 Market range: UK: 27%; Spain – 29%; Poland – 30%; Australia – 33%
10 Market range: Spain – 16%; UK: 19%; Poland – 20%; Australia – 23%
11 Market range: Poland – 25%; Australia – 38%; Spain – 38%; UK: 39%
