Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are currently directing a core segment of the National Institutes of Health All of Us research program. This project aims to compile health and genetic information from at least one million people across the United States. The goal is to build a massive dataset that tracks an individual's health over the course of their life to improve medical outcomes.
The UNC team leads the Center for Linkage and Acquisition of Data, or CLAD. This group creates the strategy for connecting disparate data points such as electronic health records, physical measurements, and survey responses. With nearly 750,000 participants already enrolled, the program provides researchers with access to genomic data and clinical records on a scale that is currently unmatched by other health databases.
A central component of the CLAD system is the use of software from the data analytics firm Palantir. This technology acts as the digital infrastructure that integrates the information. While Palantir is known for its work with the intelligence and defense sectors, lead researcher Melissa Haendel states that the platform is necessary because of its ability to manage highly detailed and secure information. She emphasizes that the system is built for privacy and that the software owners do not have access to the underlying participant data.
The program faces scrutiny due to the reputation of its technology partner, but the research team remains focused on the project mission. They aim to solve the problems inherent in the fragmented American healthcare system by creating a unified view of patient health. The data collected by CLAD is intended to help clinicians and researchers understand how environment, lifestyle, and biology impact long-term health outcomes for all citizens.