Latin America is a region of medium-to-low income countries with health indicators in transition towards patterns seen in developed countries, with growing importance of birth defects and genetic disorders as causes of morbidity and mortality. Over the past 20 years, tertiary-care-based genetic services have been developing in urban areas, although their population impact is still very low. Cuba is an exception, as genetic services were conceived from the beginning as primary-care-based and with specific community health objectives. Clinical geneticists in the region have recently began a trend towards extending genetic services to the community, with lukewarm support from state public health officials.

Keywords:
Latin America, Community genetics, Genetic services, Epidemiology of genetic disorders, Birth defects, Developing countries
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© 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel
2001
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