Introduction: A social and structural framework for the analysis of Latino males health

Over the next fifty years, the racial and ethnic composition of the United States is projected to dramatically change. Currently, the Latino population makes up approximately 14 percent (41.3 million) of the total U.S. population, excluding the residents of Puerto Rico and many undocumented Latinos. It is estimated that 75 percent of all Latinos residing in the United States are immigrants or children of immigrants. The Latino community is projected to grow annually by at least 2 percent until 2030. By 2050, population growth estimates forecast that Latinos will double in size, becoming almost 25 percent (102.6 million) of the total U.S. population (U.S. Census Bureau 2002, 2004). As the Latino population in the United States increases, so will the significance of its economic and workforce contributions. Maintaining the health of Latinos will have major implications for society as Latinos are increasingly represented among consumers, business owners and workers, taxpayers, voters, and public officials. Given the growth of their collective voice, the Latino community will become a powerful social, political, and economic constituency with major influence on the trajectory of this nation. Therefore, focusing on their health and well-being, including an improved understanding of the factors that affect and influence their health, is ultimately in the community's and the nation's best interests.