STAT+: All of Us tests a new approach to collect real-world data for research

STAT PlusHealth tech All of Us tests a new approach to collect real-world data for research NIH precision medicine research program ‘piggybacked’ on clinical data-sharing networks to access patient records Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Katie PalmerJune 30, 2026 Health Tech Correspondent Katie Palmer[email protected]Katie covers the impact of health technology on patients, clinicians, and businesses. Her stories explore the price tag of clinical AI, digital health at the FDA, and the boom in direct-to-consumer telehealth. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at palmer.01. A boundary-pushing federal health research program has secured thousands of electronic medical records as it aims to plug gaps in its data, through an innovative use of patient data-sharing networks primarily used to coordinate clinical care. Since 2018, the All of Us program has collected health and wellness data on nearly 750,000 participants. The precision medicine research program, run by the National Institutes of Health, has collected genome sequences, Fitbit data, family history surveys, and real-world medical records that can span a patient’s entire health journey — all available for researchers to dig into. Advertisement But those real-world records often are missing big chunks of patient data. Even though 98% of All of Us participants agree to share their electronic health records for research, more than 300,000 have no EHR data at all in its database. In the program’s latest data release, announced on Tuesday, All of Us is attempting to fill in those holes — offering a potentially easier path to acquire real-world data for clinical research. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — and get additional analysis of the technologies disrupting health care — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In health tech, NIH, research, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Katie Palmer Health Tech Correspondent Katie covers the impact of health technology on patients, clinicians, and businesses. Her stories explore the price tag of clinical AI, digital health at the FDA, and the boom in direct-to-consumer telehealth. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at palmer.01. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended The Readout June 30, 2026 STAT Plus: Investors double down on Bain-backed startup Health Tech Newsletter June 30, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA digital leader hints at coming AI policy updates Advertisement Pharmalot June 30, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Chinese trial sites being probed, RFK Jr. and peptides, and more Morning Rounds June 30, 2026 Half of states sue over Medicaid work requirements First Opinion June 30, 2026 Short-sighted new student loan caps elevate chiropractic care over critical health care professions Subscriber Picks