about 30 000 people in the united states have cystic fibrosis (cf). cystic fibrosis is one of the most common inherited diseases among caucasians. about 1 000 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each year. cystic fibrosis affects both males and females and people from all racial and ethnic groups. however the disease is most common among caucasians of northern european descent. cystic fibrosis also is common among latinos and native americans especially the pueblo and zuni. the disease is much less common among african americans and asian americans. about 12 million americans are carriers of a faulty cystic fibrosis gene. many of them don't know that they're cystic fibrosis carriers.
who is at risk for cystic fibrosis?