Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in the Hispanic/Latino Population: Lessons From the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) Martha L. Daviglus a, b, c , ⁎ , Amber Pirzada a , Gregory A. Talavera d a Institute for Minority Health Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL b Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL c Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL d Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of mortality among Hispanics/ Latinos residing in the United States (US), yet despite the rapid growth of this diverse population, there has been a dearth of objective, comprehensive data on prevalence of risk factors for CVD and other chronic diseases. The Hispanic Community Health Study/SOL) is the largest and most comprehensive cohort study to date/SOL) was initiated to address this gap in knowledge. This article reviews existing research on CVD risk factors among Hispanic/Latino adults of diverse background residing in the US, compares findings from HCHS/SOL with other representative samples on prevalence of major CVD risk factors in this population, and discusses the lessons learned thus far from HCHS/SOL. Baseline findings from this study demonstrate that sizeable burdens in CVD risk exist among all major Hispanic/Latino background groups in the US. At the same time, there are marked variations in rates of individual risk factors by Hispanic/Latino background groups. Comprehensive public health policies to lower CVD risk among those who have adverse levels of one or more risk factors, and to prevent development of CVD risk factors in the small proportion free of CVD risk are urgently needed to lower the future burden of CVD among the US Hispanic/Latino population. © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Keywords: Cardiovascular risk factors Hispanic/Latino Race/ethnicity Disparities Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of mortality among Hispanics/Latinos, 1 who comprise the largest and one of the fastest growing minority populations in the United States (US). While US Hispanics/Latinos represent diverse cultures, generational status, backgrounds, and expo- sures, until recently there was a dearth of objective, compre- hensive data on prevalence of risk factors for CVD and other chronic diseases among diverse Hispanic/Latino groups, particularly by heritage, age and gender strata, socioeconomic status (SES), and level of acculturation. Most of the earlier studies on Hispanics/Latinos residing in the US largely involved Mexican Americans or examined Hispanics/Latinos as a homogeneous group; only a few studies have included other Hispanic/Latino background groups and these were limited in sample size or included only a small number of Hispanic/Latino background groups. PROGRESS IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES 57 (2014) 230 – 236 Statement of Conflict of Interest: see page 236. ⁎ Address reprint requests to Dr. Martha L. Daviglus, MD, PhD, Institute for Minority Health Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1819 W. Polk Street, Suite 246, Chicago, IL 60612. E-mail address: daviglus@uic.edu (M.L. Daviglus). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2014.07.006 0033-0620/© 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Available online at www.sciencedirect.com ScienceDirect www.onlinepcd.com