Opportunity to participate in customized medicine research at WSU Health Sciences Spokane
Help identify which medical approaches most effective for specific people based on genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors
Washington State University (WSU) Health Sciences Spokane will host National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) All of Us Journey, a traveling, hands-on exhibit that aims to gather genetic, biological, environmental, health and lifestyle data from 1 million or more volunteer participants living in the United States. Through NIH partnership with the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the program’s ultimate goal is to accelerate research and improve health.
From July 23 to July 26, Spokane participants who visit the mobile unit and additionally choose to contribute to the study have access to all the information they provide and NIH findings specific to their health. Additionally, they have access to broad summary data and findings from All of Us.
“WSU Health Sciences is excited and proud to be a part of this renowned and inclusive research project. This is a rare, no-cost opportunity for our students and individuals in Spokane to not only learn about their own health, but to impact the future of health care for today and for years to come,” said Daryll DeWald, WSU Health Sciences chancellor.
The goal is to advance health care based on the individual, to account for factors like where people live, what they do and their family health history, also called precision medicine. Additionally, All of Us seeks to transform the relationship between researchers and participants, bringing them together as partners to inform the program’s directions, goals and responsible return of research information.
NIH’s partnership with the National Alliance for Hispanic Health offers a natural conduit through utilization of its Todos Juntos effort and partnerships across the country, including WSU Health Sciences. Central to this partnership is demonstrating the central role Hispanic communities must play to usher in the future of health.
“We are bringing the All of Us research program directly to people across the country to continue our work to increase the inclusion of all communities in clinical and biomedical research. Through its traveling exhibit, we’re increasing the participation of diverse communities in All of Us to help build the foundation for a new era of health care where medicine is tailored to each person,” said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health.
This aligns with WSU Health Sciences’ mission to ultimately improve the lives of all Washington state citizens by improving access to care and growing basic and clinical research, among other goals.
All of Us aims to reflect the rich diversity of the U.S. to help ensure that each community is included in studies that lead to improved health for future generations.
Spokane’s community members are encouraged to visit the All of Us Journey from July 23 to July 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the WSU Health Sciences Spokane campus at the corner of Spokane Falls Boulevard and Front Avenue (across from the Bookie). To learn more about the program, please visit JoinAllofUs.org/juntos.