Ancestry estimation and correction for population stratification in molecular epidemiologic association studies

Explanations for observed differences within and between populations in disease incidence and outcome are an important area of research. To maximize the potential for epidemiologic association studies to identify meaningful, reproducible genetic associations in large studies of common diseases, it is imperative that careful consideration be given to population stratification. In some situations, self-reported race/ethnicity may be sufficient to alleviate concerns about bias due to population stratification. However, in many situations, genotype-based estimates of group and/or individual ancestry using AIMs may be required to properly account for ancestry, admixture, and bias due to population stratification in association studies.