The University of Alabama’s Capstone College of Nursing is one of six universities nationwide to receive funding through a mini-grant from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) to support the National Institutes of Health’s All of Us Research Program.
Launched by the NIH in May, the All of Us Research Program seeks to extend precision medicine to all diseases by building a national research cohort of a million or more participants reflecting the diversity of the United States. AACN joined with the NIH to advance this initiative by administering a mini-grants program to facilitate the engagement of the nursing education community with the All of Us Research Program, and its focus on including communities historically underrepresented in biomedical research.
“The Capstone College of Nursing is delighted to be one of the six colleges of nursing across the country to have been awarded the mini-grant through the American Association of Colleges of Nursing,” said Dr. Mercy Mumba, assistant professor in the College. “Receiving this award means that we as a College can be at the forefront to promoting cutting edge research and improving awareness of precision medicine, and the implications of doing so for the communities we serve.”
Funding will increase awareness of the program and the importance of participation of underrepresented members. This initiative uses collaboration between established community partners and nursing schools to disseminate information on the All of Us Research Program.
“By supporting the All of Us Research Program and expanding the pool of individuals available to participate in critical research initiatives, academic nursing is helping the NIH in its efforts to improve the health of all Americans through the identification of more effective and tailored prevention strategies and treatments for diseases impacting diverse populations,” said Dr. Ann Cary, chair of the AACN Board of Directors.
UA’s Capstone College of Nursing will host an All of Us research event on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Buelah Baptist Church, located at 3100 25st St. in Tuscaloosa.
“This is especially important with regard to the African American community, who have traditionally not participated in research, mostly related to historical events that have made them skeptical of research,” said Mumba. “We are thrilled that we get to be part of this great movement, and, of course, the opportunity to highlight the work that our researchers here in the College are engaged in.”