La Jolla, Calif.-based Scripps Translational Science Institute tapped Fitbit as the first wearable for use in the All of Us Research Program, the company announced Nov. 7.
The Scripps Translational Science Institute leads the "participant center," a unit of the All of Us Research Program tasked with enrolling diverse populations across the U.S. The All of Us Research Program, which is part of the National Institutes of Health's precision medicine initiative, aims to engage more than 1 million participants to share biological samples, genetic data and lifestyle information.
Through the participant center, the Scripps Translational Science Institute will provide up to 10,000 Fitbit activity trackers to research volunteers for a one-year study. The researchers will use findings from the study to inform how Fitbit devices may be more broadly integrated into the All of Us Research Program.
"The Fitbit devices selected track a combination of physical activity, sleep and heart rate parameters," said Eric Topol, MD, founder and director of the Scripps Translational Science Institute. "The popularity of Fitbit devices among millions of Americans, combined with their ease of use … made Fitbit a natural choice for this pilot program."