Jewish Health Resources

There are a number of genetic diseases for which persons of Jewish heritage (at least one grandparent) are more likely to be carriers of than the general population. Carriers are healthy individuals, unaffected by the disease for which they carry. If both parents are carriers of a gene mutation for the same condition, there is a 25% chance, with each pregnancy, of having an affected child. These diseases are all serious and can be fatal and or life altering to children born with them.

There are different genetic concerns for people of Ashkenazi Jewish background (German, French or Eastern European), and people of Sephardic (Mediterranean) or Mizrahi (Persian/Iranian or Middle Eastern) background. Regardless of specific Jewish background, all Jewish and Interfaith couples should have pre-conception carrier screening for Jewish genetic diseases. 

Visit the Jewish Genetic Disease Consortium website for more information.