Research Program Aims To Build Largest Diverse Health Database

This Patch article is sponsored by All of Us.

All of Us is a national research program that aims to build the largest, most diverse database of health information of its kind. Participants share information about their health by answering online surveys, sharing their electronic health record, providing physical measurements and donating blood and urine samples. With this information, researchers can better understand how our different lifestyles and environments interact with our genetics to impact health and disease. Researchers will use this information to improve the ways to diagnose, prevent and treat health conditions.

Patch had a chance to talk with Kharla Colon-Vazquez, participant experience lead, All of Us Research Program at Community Health Center, Inc.

Patch: How long has your organization been around in the community?

Colon-Vazquez: The All of Us Research Program launched in 2015 under the Precision Medicine Initiative. The Community Health Center, Inc. has been a partner of All of Us since 2017; it was first launched in the Middletown clinic. Later, the program began enrolling patients in Meriden, New Britain and New London clinics.

Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you’re in, and how did you get started?

Colon-Vazquez: It is exciting to see our communities participate and be included in research and the conversations surrounding it. As a Hispanic woman who grew up in a low-income neighborhood, I experienced first-hand the effects that health disparities have on our communities. I knew I wanted to take part in addressing these disparities and finding solutions to improve health outcomes. For me, research is empowering because it allows us to explore unanswered questions and learn new information that can change how we experience health care. That is why I wanted to join All of Us’ efforts, not just as a staff member but as a participant of the program as well.

Patch: If you had to sum up your business mission to a stranger in five words, what would those words be?

Colon-Vazquez: Diversity in health research matters.

Patch: What’s the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you’ve faced in your job?

Colon-Vazquez: The biggest challenge is reaching our participants during the pandemic. Many of our participants are not comfortable with technology or do not have access to it. As our team transitioned to working remotely, we had to find creative solutions so that we could not only complete program activities with our participants, but also help them navigate the ever-growing digital world. Currently, we offer in-person appointments on select days, but the pandemic has affected our participant lives in other ways that do not always make it easy for them to come to the clinic. That’s why our team continues to offer and improve our video and phone appointment experience and find new ways to meet our participants where they are.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part of your job?

Colon-Vazquez: The most satisfying part of my job is when our participants feel excited and find value in their participation in research. For most of our participants, this has been the first opportunity to participate in research.

Patch: How would you say your business or organization distinguishes itself from the others?

Colon-Vazquez: Unlike other research programs, All of Us wants our participants to be our partners and use their experiences and feedback to shape the program. The program is transparent with its use of the data our participants share and constantly communicates new information and updates about the program with participants.

Patch: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given when it comes to success?

Colon-Vazquez: How valuable the return of information is to participants and motivates them to continue the program. One of the most exciting aspects of the program for our participants is the opportunity to learn what parts of the world their ancestors may have been from and other fun information such as if they might love or hate cilantro. Other participants love to see articles showing how the information they share is used to better understand diseases.

Patch: Are there any new projects or endeavors you’re working on that you’re extra excited about? If so, what details can you share and what makes it so exciting?

Colon-Vazquez: All of Us recently released a new survey on the Social Determinants of Health. We hope that the information collected from this survey will help researchers understand the impact that factors like living and working conditions, as well as social life have on the health and quality of life on our communities.

I am also very excited to be working with students from Wesleyan University on their Health of Communities project. We hope to understand what patients’ know of the role family health history can have on their health care.

Patch: Do you have any events coming up in your community? If so, tell us about them.

Colon-Vazquez: As we enter our fifth year, we are looking forward to bringing the program to more people in the community.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your work and business?

Colon-Vazquez: You can learn more about All of Us at www.JoinAllofUs.org or on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.