18 Oct All of Us Research Program at UW-Madison announces partnership with Aaron Perry’s Rebalanced-Life Wellness Association

The All of Us Research Program at UW-Madison recently launched a partnership with Aaron Perry and his Rebalanced-Life Wellness Association to recruit and enroll participants in this historic health research effort to help speed up medical breakthroughs.

Perry’s Rebalanced-Life Wellness Association includes a Men’s Wellness and a Men’s Health and Education Center located within JP Hair Design, Madison’s largest black barbershop. The Association serves as a community resource hub for more information about the All of Us program, as well as an enrollment location for those who wish to join.

“Aaron Perry is an exceptional leader, so this partnership will be instrumental in our efforts to engage with and inform Madison’s African-American community about the benefits of the All of Us Research Program,” said Dr. Elizabeth Burnside, co-principal investigator, All of Us – UW-Madison. “Health research too often leaves out African-Americans. We believe All of Us has the potential to change this pattern and drive research discoveries that significantly improve the health of African-Americans, and other underrepresented groups, in Wisconsin, for generations.”

The All of Us Research Program at UW-Madison is part of a nationwide effort to enroll one million or more people who will share information over time for use in thousands of health research studies. In this way, the program aims to advance medical discoveries and improve prevention and treatment of a range of diseases. UW Health joins UW-Madison as a key partner, assisting with outreach and enrollment efforts in southcentral Wisconsin.

Participants in the program are asked to share their electronic health record, answer questions through online surveys, have physical measurements taken and submit samples of blood and urine. Enrollees receive $25 upon completion of these steps. All of Us will let participants know about additional surveys and other ways to share information over the course of the program.

“As founder and CEO of the Rebalanced-Life Wellness Association, I’m in full support of the All of Us Program,” Perry said. “As someone who lives his daily life with a chronic health condition, I hope to encourage other black males to join this effort to help improve future health of our kids and our grandkids.”

Perry’s partnership with JP Hair Design aims to reduce health disparities and improve the social and health conditions of black men in Dane County. The All of Us Program’s commitment to diversity in health research aligns well with this mission.

“All of Us could not be successful without the partnership and guidance of community organizations like the Rebalanced-Life Wellness Association,” said Dr. Dorothy Farrar Edwards, co-principal investigator, All of Us – UW-Madison. “These partnerships are vital to responsibly conveying information within the community and demonstrating that participation in health research programs, like All of Us, helps community leaders and health researchers work toward health equity in Wisconsin and beyond.

For more information, including how to participate, visit AllofUs.wisc.edu.