Research findings in the field of genomics conclude that chronic conditions arise from the complex interaction between multiple genes, environmental factors, and personal behaviors. However, genetics alone will not determine the extent of development of chronic disease. Implementation of health and nutritional principles are needed in order to establish healthy lifestyles that will help reduce the risk factor for disease. Family health history offers evidence for multiple gene, behavior, and environmental interactions and is also recognized as an independent predictor and important risk factor for disease

Family health history (FHH) is recognized as an important risk factor for chronic disease. Researchers have demonstrated that individuals who have family members with a particular chronic disease are at greater risk of developing the disease themselves compared to the general population. The extent to which people view FHH as a risk factor has implications for whether or not FHH data is collected by individuals and utilized for disease prevention. While research has recently been conducted among Caucasian audiences throughout Utah, little is known about the impact of FHH on immigrants or others who lack community connections to traditional health resources.

Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, and lower respiratory diseases collectively remain the leading cause of death among populations living in the United States. As Utah health indicator data suggests, Hispanics are not immune from chronic disease conditions and suffer in disproportionate numbers. The Hispanic population in Utah represents the largest racial/ethnic group in the State. A total of 268,234 Hispanics reside in Utah, which accounts for11% of total population. Of the 443,738 individuals living in Utah County, 37,420 or 8% are of hispanic origin.
Based on the health indicators for the State of Utah, Hispanics experience health disparities in several important chronic disease risk factors. These risk factors include lack of health insurance, lack of medical home, lack of early prenatal care, lack of colorectal and prostate cancer screening, obesity, lack of vegetable consumption, and lack of physical activity. More specifically, from 1999 to 2004, 64% of Hispanic adults were found to be overweight or obese, a percentage significantly higher than the overall State average of 55.6%.3 Similarly, the percentage of Hispanic adults with no physical activity (28.0%) was significantly higher than the State average.