Utility of genetics clinical study seeks volunteers across AF

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AFNS) -- In partnership with the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative, recruitment has begun for Phase II of the Air Force Medical Service Personalized Medicine Clinical Utility Study. The aim of the study is to evaluate the utility of genetics and genomics in clinical care.

Phase I of the CUS took place from 2011 to 2013 and enrolled more than 2,100 AFMS personnel to provide education and training on the delivery of genetic risk information. Phase II expands enrollment beyond the AFMS to reach across the Air Force. Recruitment events will take place at many Air Force facilities in the next 18 months with the goal of enrolling 4,500 new study participants. Online enrollment is also available.

The study is open to active-duty members of the Air Force, retirees of the Air Force, or spouses of current active-duty members or retirees of the Air Force. Participants enroll in the study after they provide informed consent and a small saliva sample.

After enrollment, participants activate their personal CPMC web portal account and complete a detailed online health questionnaire. Participants then receive personal risk reports on a variety of actionable health conditions, including type II diabetes, obesity, coronary artery disease, and melanoma.

Coriell's board-certified genetic counseling team is available to answer any questions about risk reports at no charge to participants. Participants are also encouraged to share their risk report information with their physicians and complete surveys that will assist the AFMS in evaluating the clinical utility of genomic information and inform policy regarding its use within the Military Health System.

This study is approved by the Air Force Research Laboratory under protocol number FWR20110046H.

Visit usaf.coriell.org to learn more about the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative and the AFMS Personalized Medicine CUS.