Ethnic Variation as a Key to the Biology of Human Disease
Authors: Mark D. Shriver
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1997)

Editorials1 September 1997Ethnic Variation as a Key to the Biology of Human DiseaseMark D. Shriver, PhDMark D. Shriver, PhDAllegheny University of the Health Sciences; Pittsburgh, PA 15212Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-127-5-199709010-00011 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Although it is well established that all humans are members of the same species, obvious physical differences exist among human populations (such as differences in hair color and texture, skin color, facial features, and stature). Some less apparent, but clinically more important, ethnic differences also exist. For example, the prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes is greater among Native Americans and Hispanic persons in the United States than in the general U.S. population, and hypertension is more common among black persons in the United States. Ethnic differences in the prevalence of complex diseases are probably related to both environmental ...References1. Woo KS, Robinson JT, Chook P, Adams MR, Yip G, Mai ZJ, et al. Differences in the effect of cigarette smoking on endothelial function in Chinese and white adults. Ann Intern Med. 1997; 127:372-5 Google Scholar2. Wall TL, Peterson CM, Peterson KP, Johnson ML, Thomasson HR, Cole M, et al. Alcohol metabolism in Asian-American men with genetic polymorphisms of aldehyde dehydrogenase. Ann Intern Med. 1997; 127:376-9. Google Scholar3. Celermajer DS, Sorensen KE, Georgakopoulos D, Bull C, Thomas O, Robinson J, et al. Cigarette smoking is associated with dose-related and potentially reversible impairment of endothelium-dependent dilation in healthy young adults. Circulation. 1993; 88(5 Pt 1):2149-55. Google Scholar4. Hanley AJ, Choi BC, Holowaty EJ. Cancer mortality among Chinese migrants: a review. Int J Epidemiol. 1995; 24:255-65. Google Scholar5. 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Shriver, PhD, Department of Human Genetics, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, 320 East North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoDifferences in the Effect of Cigarette Smoking on Endothelial Function in Chinese and White Adults Kam S. Woo , Jacqui T.C. Robinson , Ping Chook , Mark R. Adams , Gabriel Yip , Z.J. Mai , Chris W.K. Lam , Keld E. Sorensen , John E. Deanfield , and David S. Celermajer Alcohol Metabolism in Asian-American Men with Genetic Polymorphisms of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Tamara L. Wall , Charles M. Peterson , Karen P. Peterson , Mona L. Johnson , Holly R. Thomasson , Maury Cole , and Cindy L. Ehlers Metrics Cited ByBiophysical Properties of Ethnic SkinIntegrated Genomic MedicineRace and ethnicity considerations in GI endoscopyEthnic issues in endoscopyWhat to make of it? 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II. Alcoholism and Event-Related PotentialsAlcohol ingestion and the cutaneous vasculature11The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the institutions with which the writers are associated.Racial Differences in Skin Function: Related to Claim SupportNaming Names in Human Genetic Variation Research 1 September 1997Volume 127, Issue 5Page: 401-403KeywordsAlcoholsAllelesBloodDehydrogenasesGenetic diseasesGeneticsHuman geneticsPopulation geneticsPopulation statisticsRacial and ethnic issues Issue Published: 1 September 1997 CopyrightCopyright © 1997 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...