Athens, May 22, 2025 – A new study is inviting Asian American community members in Georgia to share their thoughts about participating in health research—and your input could make a big difference.
The study is part of a nationwide effort called the All of Us Research Program, a long-term project funded by the federal government. Its goal is to enroll over one million people from all backgrounds to better understand how genetics, environment, and lifestyle affect our health. But so far, Asian Americans have been underrepresented in the program.
That’s a problem, because if certain communities aren’t included, the research might not reflect everyone’s health needs—and future treatments and prevention efforts could fall short.
To help change that, researchers from the University of Georgia are reaching out to Asian Americans living in Georgia who have not yet joined the All of Us Research Program. They want to learn more about what might be stopping people from taking part—and how to make participation more welcoming and accessible.
What does participation involve?
– You'll be asked to join a one-time group discussion (about 60–90 minutes), either in person or online via Zoom.
– Researchers will collect basic background information and ask questions about your thoughts and experiences.
– You’ll receive a follow-up by mail or email about two months later.
– As a thank-you, you’ll receive a $50 gift card after completing the interview.
– Your participation is completely voluntary. You can skip any questions you don’t want to answer, and you’re free to stop at any time. There are no known risks, and all personal information will be kept private and confidential.
Why does this matter?
By sharing your voice, you’ll help researchers understand how to include more Asian American perspectives in health studies. That means better information, better treatments, and better health outcomes for our communities.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, you can contact the study lead, Dr. Zhuo (Adam) Chen, at zchen1@uga.edu or call 678-377-3656.
