The Plymouth Canton
Interfaith Community Outreach is a group that could exist in almost any
community in this country. The USA is a very diverse group of people;
individuals and communities of every color, faith tradition, genders; well you
get the idea. One common requirement we all share is a need for effective health
care. We seem to be living in a time that challenges our very beliefs about
this country, our government and elected leaders. Personally I get frustrated
and frankly, at times, feel like venting verbally on social media, even knowing
that spewing words of harsh criticism will not accomplish anything that moves
us closer to a just society, one in which all persons are treated without
prejudice and with dignity. But let me share with you about one government program
(yes, government!) that will help to do just that.
You may remember President Obama’s 2015 State of the
Union address, in which he spoke about new initiatives in health care that will
change how medicine is practiced in the future. He stated, “21st century businesses will rely on
American science, technology, research and development. I want the country that
eliminated polio and mapped the human genome to lead a new era of medicine --
one that delivers the right treatment at the right time. In some patients with
cystic fibrosis, this approach has reversed a disease once thought unstoppable.
Tonight, I'm launching a new Precision Medicine Initiative to bring us closer
to curing diseases like cancer and diabetes -- and to give all of us access to
the personalized information we need to keep ourselves and our families
healthier.”
That ‘launch’, since renamed
the “All of Us Research Program” is now undergoing pilot testing of materials.
It is an ambitious undertaking, to recruit more than one million subjects in
the US willing to share their genetic background, health information,
environmental circumstances, and cultural status ~ to create a database large
enough, with enough information that researchers will be able to accurately
identify factors affecting almost every disease and health issue. But here’s
the thing: diversity across every group, even those who are marginalized, is
needed for this to work. We are all in this together, none of us stands alone,
outside of contemporary medicine and health care. What researchers learn from
you will help your neighbor, and vice versa. So if/when you are approached to
be part of this research, please respond ‘YES’.
For more information follow this link:
Duke Morrow
Guest blogger
Duke would like to add that the proposed budget in Congress would likely endanger this program.
Thank you Duke!
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