Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)

The Hispanic Community Health Study / Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) is a multicenter community-based cohort study of Hispanic/Latino populations in the United States.

The goals of the study are to identify risk factors that may have a protective or harmful role in the development of cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases among Hispanic/Latino adults, and to determine the role of acculturation in the prevalence and development of disease. Understanding the unique risk factors and health problems faced by the Hispanic/Latino population will help to develop tailored interventions and policies to help improve the health of this population.

Between March 2008 and June 2011, the HCHS/SOL study examined 16,415 Hispanic/Latino adults ages 18-74 years at enrollment. Participants represent diverse backgrounds including Central Americans, Cubans, Dominicans, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and South Americans.

Participants were recruited from communities in four U.S. cities, San Diego, Chicago, the Bronx, NY and Miami, and underwent comprehensive examinations. Field Centers conducting the study are: San Diego State University, University of Illinois at Chicago, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx area of New York, and the University of Miami.

The landmark HCHS/SOL is the largest prospective follow-up study of Hispanics/Latinos that has been conducted in the United States to date.