The Hispanic/Latino population is one of the fastest growing population groups nationally. Despite its rapid growth, there is limited research and data on the personal lifestyle practices and health conditions of Latinos, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, asthma, and chronic pulmonary conditions, among others. As a result, in October 2006, the National Institutes of Health- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH-NHLBI) launched an epidemiological study of health and disease among the U.S. Hispanic/Latino populations. This study is The Hispanic Community Health Study (HCHS)/ Study of Latinos (SOL), the largest and most important study on Hispanic/Latino health ever done in the U.S.

The main objective of the HCHS/SOL is to understand the health of Hispanics / Latinos living in the U.S. By understanding health, and factors that could influence on it, better disease prevention could be practiced. For this purpose, 16,000 persons who identify themselves as Hispanics/Latinos, between the ages of 18 and 74 years, will be invited to participate.

The Hispanic Community Health Study / Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) has four Field Centers located in , New York City (),  and  and a   in North Carolina. HCHS/SOL is directed by a Steering Committee that is composed of representatives from the Field Centers, NHLBI and the University of North Carolina (UNC).

If you would like more detailed information on the study, please visit the study website at: www.cscc.unc.edu/hchs