Abstract

The recent rise of measles demonstrates the importance of our families’ social characteristics for a host of infectious and non-infectious diseases. We need to recognize that families are more than their shared genes; families are distinctive health environments and our family relationships affect our health and health behaviors. Although families are a relatively understudied health context, I recommend several avenues by which we can grow this exciting field within social epidemiology. With a greater understanding of how families’ social characteristics influence health, we can inform clinical and public health practices and better meet our public health goals.

Keywords: Families; Measles; Social epidemiology; Vaccination