The National Institutes of Health’s All of Us Research Program aims to recruit 1 million participants to advance biomedical research to benefit all
South Texas Blood & Tissue has partnered with the National Institutes of Health’s All of Us Research Program, to recruit and engage participants in one of the nation’s largest and most diverse health information databases.
All of Us aims to enroll at least 1 million participants who reflect the rich diversity of the U.S. Participants can choose to share information about their health history, their environment and they can contribute a blood or saliva sample. This information will help researchers learn how biology, lifestyle and our environment affect our health.
One of the biggest goals of this program is to increase diversity in medical research. Many populations have been left out of research in the past, which means less is known about the health of those groups.
South Texans can join the program by visiting JoinAllofUs.org/SouthTexasBlood. After completing an online portion (including study consents and health history surveys), participants may be asked to visit South Texas Blood & Tissue in San Antonio to have physical measurements taken and give blood and urine samples for the program.
Biological information, health surveys and physical measurements all can help researchers in the new field of precision medicine, which aims to create tailored treatments that are not one-size-fits-all. With this resource, researchers will be able to conduct thousands of studies on health and disease.
All information collected for All of Us will be stored on protected computers, and the NIH will remove participants’ names and other direct identifiers like Social Security numbers.
Participants may be compensated for their time and travel with a $25 gift card after giving their samples at South Texas Blood & Tissue. Through participating in the program, participants also can receive specific information about their DNA that could help them learn about their unique traits and genetic ancestry, if they want to receive genetic health-related information.
Anyone 18 years or older living in the United States may participate in this program, regardless of health condition or prior blood donation eligibility.
Joining All of Us is another way for generous donors to improve the health of communities and future generations.
To learn more about All of Us, please call 210-731-5589 or email Research@SouthTexasBlood.org.
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