Boldly Going To New Horizons: Engaging the Community in Biomedical Research and Precision Medicine

Abstract

Objective:To adapt a traditional consumer health information outreach approach to include a community health education message targeting the benefits for the general public of participation in biomedical research. Methods: An outreach award led to the expansion of a traditional consumer health information message to include the basics of biomedical research and informed consent. Urban, suburban, and rural public libraries and Federally Qualified Health Centers in eastern and central Georgia will host ten consumer health presentations by medical librarians. Presentations will have three themes: becoming well-informed about disease conditions and medications using MedlinePlus, understanding the process and benefits of biomedical research studies, and use the All of Us research program as an example of a new type of precision medicine study that recruits partners (not subjects) from populations that do not traditionally participate in research. The importance of understanding the risks and benefits of enrolling in a research study will be discussed. Results: To be determined.