HJBR Jul/Aug 2022

social environmental factors and overall health. Why should providers encourage their patients to join All of Us or join themselves? All of Us is a catalyst for positive change in research. Working together, All of Us researchers, partners, healthcare providers, and participants can build a better future for health research and care. Healthcare providers know how impor- tant health research is. Many people don’t. Healthcare providers are welcome to join and can be advocates for change by shar- ing information about All of Us with their patients, especially those from communi- ties that have been historically underrep- resented in biomedical research. We want to create a research program that reflects the diversity of our country and includes communities that have not always benefited from health research. That’s why we need the help of healthcare providers whose opinions are trusted and respected. We’re asking you to be a bridge connecting your patients with All of Us . Vulnerable populations have been hurt in the past by medical research. How are they being protected now? Is it reasonable for people to expect data security? Given historic transgressions and exclu- sionary practices, there is understandable distrust of the healthcare system among some underrepresented communities. In order to build a new body of knowledge that has the potential to create better treat- ments for all of us, we are working closely with leading community and national cli- nician groups to ensure data is used safely and ethically. Together, with transparency and honesty, we aim to build trust between underrepresented populations and the med- ical community. The data that participants give to the All of Us Research Program is personal. To pro- tect this information, we follow strict secu- rity protocols and processes. Our rigorous What has outreach been like in Louisiana? Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana promotes enrollment in the direct volun- teer program in Baton Rouge and Shreve- port. They’ve used innovative grassroots efforts to engage the community. Their All of Us ambassadors attend events, speak at symposiums, network, and spread the word about All of Us . That’s been harder during the pandemic, but they are back out there again. During 2020 and 2021, the teammoved vir- tual, hosting webinars about specific health issues. In NewOrleans, LSUHealth NewOrleans and Tulane University are part of the South- ern All of Us network. As trusted healthcare providers, they are well suited to talk to their patients about All of Us . What are some of the most surprising social determinants of health? Research suggests that social determi- nants of health (SDOH) factors play a role in about 30% to 55% of health outcomes. Learning more about participants’ living environments and life experiences could shed light on why some people stay healthy and others have an increased risk of illness and disease. For example, social connection and a sense of belonging are fundamental human needs. Without these basic connec- tions, feelings of loneliness can arise and trigger more serious health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and an increased risk of dementia and heart disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The All of Us Research Program is pro- viding researchers the tools to explore the impact of SDOH on health outcomes through a participant survey collecting information about various social factors, including neighborhood safety, access to food, experiences with healthcare, discrimi- nation, and daily work and living environ- ments. Responses from participants will provide researchers key data to better understand the connection between these “ EACH OF US IS UNIQUE. WE HAVE A DIFFERENT GENETIC CODE. WE HAVE DIFFERENT BEHAVIORS. AND, WE LIVE AND WORK IN DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS. ALL THESE FACTORS AFFECT OUR HEALTH.”