Latino populations: a unique opportunity for epidemiological research of asthma

Asthma is a significant health problem among Latinos, the largest minority population in the US. Asthma prevalence, morbidity and mortality are highest in Puerto Ricans, intermediate in Dominicans and Cubans, and lowest in Mexicans and Central Americans. From a cultural and social perspective, Latinos represent a wide variety of national origins and ethnic and cultural groups, with a full spectrum of social class. From a genetic perspective, Latinos have descended from Native American, European and African populations. Here, we review results from recent genetic and clinical studies to illustrate the unique opportunity Latino groups offer for studying the interaction between racial, genetic and environmental contributions to asthma and drug responsiveness.