The Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC) has announced that it will be joining the National Institutes of Health’s All of Us Research Program, which aims to create a massive, most diverse health database.
The program’s goal is to gather comprehensive health data from at least one million U.S. residents to advance medical research and improve the health of future generations. The RIBC’s participation in the program makes it possible for researchers to learn how biology, lifestyle, and environment affect health, which may lead to the development of new diagnostic and treatment methods.
“The All of Us Research Program is making remarkable strides in making biomedical research data more representative and inclusive and we are honored to be joining this historic effort,” says Bruce Sachais, Chief Medical Officer at RIBC. “We’re encouraging all of our community members to join other blood donors across the country and take part in this groundbreaking program. When donors participate, they are making a big contribution to important scientific research.”
More than 763,000 people have signed up to participate in the All of Us Research Program, with more than 8,900 registered researchers across the country using the data collected to date.
RIBC’s blood donors who decide to participate will receive $25 after providing a blood sample, may be eligible to receive a Fitbit as part of the WEAR study*, and may choose to receive DNA results such as genetic ancestry, traits and health-related results.
To learn more and to join the All of Us Research Program, visit JoinAllofUs.org/nybce.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.