Genetic Services to the Latino Population in the United States

In 1998 Latinos (Hispanics) in the United States number 30 million persons and account for 11.3% of the total population, while it is predicted that by the year 2020 they will become the largest minority. This article describes the demographics and health profile of the Latino population in the United States. A brief account is given of common cultural traditions and health beliefs that modulate the interaction of this population with the health delivery system in general, and that of genetic services in particular. Further, some problems in the access to, and utilization of genetic services are outlined, and the experience of a project designed to overcome those problems in New York City is described.