Latinos and genetics: Addressing the disparity of Latino research participation in genetics

Abstract

Despite the growing presence of Latinos in the United States, research is falling short of proportionally representing Latinos among genetic research studies. Low rates of minorities engaging in biomedical research is an issue that has been addressed through the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 but the Act has had little effect in addressing the minority representation gap over the past 2 decades. Increasing ethnic diversity in research participation by engaging Latinos in genetics research is challenging. Under current conditions, the responsibility to address this disparity lies with the research community. This content analysis identifies factors related to Latino participation in research identified in a literature review. These factors include issues of distrust, limited understanding of genetics, and research ethics which fail to address Latino cultural nuances. The factors identified are relevant to researchers and provide recommendations for future research, such as the use of acculturation measures and transcreation.