The University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) has received a $4.2 million award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to further its enrollment in the All of Us Research Program. Announced on September 16, 2026, the award specifically supports the study of cardiometabolic health in populations that have historically been underrepresented in biomedical research.
This initiative represents a collaborative effort by the NIH, drawing support from both the All of Us Research Program and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. The project's primary goal is to generate comprehensive data on a range of cardiometabolic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. This data is intended to pave the way for precision medicine approaches aimed at reducing health disparities within diverse communities.
Dr. Hoda Anton-Culver, Donald Bren Professor and Distinguished Professor of medicine, serves as the principal investigator for the UC Irvine All of Us research team. She stated that the project prioritizes enrolling participants who either have or are at an elevated risk for cardiometabolic conditions. The team hopes to uncover new insights for the prevention and treatment of these chronic conditions by gathering more comprehensive longitudinal data.
Under this renewed funding, the All of Us Research Program at UC Irvine plans to enroll 1,200 new adult participants. These individuals will be selected based on their existing cardiometabolic health conditions or elevated risk factors. Enrollment efforts will take place across several locations, including the UCI Medical Center, Federally Qualified Health Centers in Santa Ana and Anaheim, and the Joe C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care, which is located in Irvine.
Participants who provide their consent will contribute to the study by completing survey questions that cover their lifestyle, physical health, and mental health. They will also provide biospecimens and share relevant electronic health record data. Researchers will then use this collected information to investigate the complex associations between cardiometabolic conditions, genetics, environmental factors, and mental health.
The project also includes a significant follow-up component for existing participants. Researchers will re-engage with 800 individuals who initially enrolled in the All of Us program at least two years ago. These returning participants will be asked to complete a second biospecimen collection and repeat earlier surveys. Dr. Anton-Culver emphasized the importance of this longitudinal follow-up, noting that studying health changes in high-risk individuals over time can lead to valuable discoveries about disease progression, prevention strategies, treatment effectiveness, and long-term health outcomes.
Additionally, participants in the cardiometabolic health project will be invited to join the “Eyes on Health” study. This ocular imaging study is conducted by the UC Irvine All of Us team and receives support from the NIH National Eye Institute. Dr. Anton-Culver explained that certain health conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, are known to cause changes in the eye.
Since September 2025, UC Irvine has already enrolled nearly 1,500 All of Us participants into the “Eyes on Health” initiative. This study involves collecting retinal fundus photos and optical coherence tomography scans. The goal is to enrich the broader All of Us dataset, enabling researchers to explore potential connections between eye health and overall systemic health. Participants in the “Eyes on Health” study receive a printed color fundus photo of their retina, educational materials about eye health, and a $25 compensation for their time. A key aspect of the All of Us program is returning valuable information to participants, and as such, individuals are notified if any signs of optical tumors, retinal detachment, or optic disc edema are detected during the review process.
All adults who are interested in contributing to scientific discovery are invited to join the All of Us Research Program. Residents interested in participating or learning more about the All of Us Research Program, including the “Eyes on Health” study or the Cardiometabolic Health study, can contact the UC Irvine All of Us research team by calling (949) 824-0282 or emailing [email protected].
