All of Us Research Program seeks employees, students, faculty and staff to participate

Allen Perkins, M.D., M.P.H., a family medicine physician and professor of family medicine at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama, knows firsthand the importance of studying genetics through the All of Us Research Program.

Diagnosed with tongue cancer that returned, he found out there was a strong genetic component to it. His maternal grandfather most likely had a similar neck cancer, and genetic markers determined that a certain drug would work very effectively to treat him.

“In about 20 percent of people, it works so effectively it will eradicate the cancer, and that was true in my case,” Perkins said. “So, it is personalized medicine that has actually led to remission.”

Personalized medicine, also known as precision medicine, uses information about a person’s genetic makeup, environment, and lifestyle to tailor healthcare to that individual.

Creating a healthier future for everyone is the ultimate goal of the All of Us project, which is seeking more participants during upcoming enrollment events this month geared toward USA Health and USA employees, as well as USA students.

All of Us will have a mobile unit available on USA's main campus at the Student Center parking lot during USA’s Week of Welcome activities. On Monday, Aug. 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., students, parents, faculty and staff will have an opportunity to learn more about the research program, meet the team, ask questions, and complete in-person enrollment.

On Tuesday, Aug. 22, from 3 to 6 p.m., USA Health and USA employees are invited to visit the Department of Family Medicine on the second floor of the Strada Patient Care Center during a special enrollment event. All appointments should be scheduled before Aug. 22.

Participants in the program receive free genetic testing and an opportunity to learn more about their health.

Funded by the National Institutes of Health, All of Us is an ambitious effort to gather health data from 1 million or more people living in the United States to accelerate research that may improve health. The program aims to reflect the diversity of the country and to include participants from groups that have been underrepresented in health research in the past.

Perkins, principal site investigator for the project, is passionate about studying and working to reduce health disparities in the community.

“I got connected with this project because we take care of a very underserved population,” he said. “Our patients often don’t get the care they need and die younger than they should because of their illness and social situation.”

He says the answer to building health equity is through studying genetics.

“The difference in life expectancy in Mobile between those who live in the poorest neighborhoods and those who live in the richest neighborhoods is about 20 years,” Perkins said. “I am hoping we can find answers and identify what those issues are and whether we can correct them.”

More than 650,000 people across the country already have enrolled in All of Us. Researchers will use the data to learn how biology, lifestyle and the environment affect health to help find better ways to treat and prevent disease.

To learn more about the All of Us Research Program, stop by the bus on campus, visit joinallofus.org, or schedule an appointment at the Strada Patient Care Center by calling 251-471-7708.