Hispanic Community Health Study-Study of Latinos (HCHS-SOL): Preliminary Results and Implications for Community Health and Research Training

Background: The Hispanic Community Health Study - Study of Latinos (HCHS-SOL) is the largest epidemiological study of Hispanics/ Latinos (H/L) in the U.S. led and funded by the NHLBI, in collaboration with other six NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices. The HCHS-SOL came about due to the need for (1) more comprehensive data on H/L health, particularly on the prevalence of cardiovascular and pulmonary-related diseases (and other chronic diseases) and their risk factors; (2) understanding all-cause mortality, and mortality related to cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, in a population with diverse environmental exposures, and genetic backgrounds; and (3) an understanding the impact of acculturation and other sociocultural and socioeconomic factors on H/L health. Objectives: 1) to describe the study rationale, objectives and design; 2) to present selected preliminary HCHS/SOL results; 3) to discuss public health implications of results; and, 4) to describe the process establish collaborations with the HCHS-SOL investigators in order to promote career development for the next generation of investigators. Methods: A total of 16,000 H/L men and women, age 18-74 years has been recruited based on a random population-based sampling in the Bronx, Chicago, Miami and San Diego, who self-identified as Mexican, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cuban, Central and South American. Selected Preliminary Results: Approximately one-third of participants are overweight or obese and smoking prevalence is high and differs by H/L group. Additional results, implication for public health and career development, will be discussed.