National Institutes of Health All of Us Research Program

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What is the All of Us Research Program?

Part of the National Institutes of Health,
All of Us is changing how health research is done. We’re building one of the largest and most diverse health databases of its kind, with the help of participants nationwide—each with their own health story. With different types of information shared by participants, All of Us can drive thousands of studies on health and disease.  

Researchers are already using this data to learn more about why people get sick or stay healthy, and what makes each of us unique. Their insights may pave the way for better methods to prevent and treat illnesses and to care for all of us.

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What is the WEAR Study?

The Wearables Enhancing All of Us Research (WEAR) Study is part of the All of Us Research Program. All of Us participants may be asked to take part in this study by wearing a Fitbit smartwatch. If you are eligible to participate, we will send you a Fitbit smartwatch at no charge. If you decide to take part, you will share information like your resting heart rate and the number of steps you take in a day. This will give researchers additional ways to learn more about health.

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How your data is being used

Researchers can study a range of conditions that affect people across their lifespan. Approximately 25% of all projects in the All of Us Researcher Workbench use Fitbit data. For example, a study using All of Us data showed that taking at least 8,200 daily steps was associated with lower risk for certain health conditions. This included chronic diseases like high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. By combining Fitbit data with other health information from participants, researchers are learning more about how activity, sleep, and exercise impact health and disease.

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Who has access to your health information?

Only approved researchers will be able to access your health information for their research studies. You can decide which data from your Fitbit account you want to share with the All of Us Research Program when you connect your Fitbit account to All of Us. Information from the WEAR Study will be added to other health information that you shared with the program. Researchers may use this information to learn more about lifestyle and health.

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How All of Us protects your privacy and health information

Our participants’ privacy is very important, and we take great care to protect it. We remove names and other direct identifiers (like addresses) from the information they share for research. And we use the most advanced security systems available.

Steps to WEAR Study Participation

Create an
All of Us account

Provide
consent

Complete
surveys

Provide a
sample

Order your free
Fitbit smartwatch,
if you are eligible
to participate*

A smartwatch device

*If you are eligible to participate in the WEAR Study, you will receive an email or text message from All of Us.

Who is eligible to participate in the WEAR Study?

All of Us wants to be sure that we get information from all types of people. You may be eligible for the All of Us WEAR Study if you are from a community that is underrepresented in biomedical research. This includes African American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, LGBTQ+ communities, and others. Only when diverse people are represented in health research, will researchers begin to understand the health disparities that exist in different groups of people.

You will not be invited to the WEAR Study if you are already sharing wearable health information with All of Us.

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For support questions, please contact the Support Center.

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WEAR Study, Wear Page

What are the risks of joining the WEAR Study?

The risks of joining the WEAR Study are similar to the risks of participating in the All of Us Research Program. You can review those risks in the Consent to Join the All of Us Research Program. You can find this form in the Agreements area of your account. There is also a risk to your privacy whenever you use an app, website, fitness tracker, or smartwatch. To be part of the study, you agree to share different types of data in your All of Us record. If there is a data breach, there may be additional risk to your privacy because of the amount of data in your All of Us record.

Additionally, to participate in the WEAR Study, you’ll be asked to set up a Google account or connect a Fitbit or Google account you already own. If you use your Fitbit devices and services with your Fitbit account, your data will be handled by Fitbit’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Please read them carefully. You can read them here: Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

All of Us does not control Fitbit’s Terms of Service or Privacy Policy. The Terms of Service and Privacy Policy are like an agreement or set of rules between you and Fitbit. You must agree to these rules before you can use your Fitbit tracker or smartwatch.
Fitbit’s Terms of Service are legally binding. Fitbit may ask you to agree to certain things that affect your relationship with Fitbit, like what happens if you are injured and how to settle any legal disagreements with Fitbit.
Although All of Us will protect the information that you give us, we cannot protect or control what Fitbit does with your Fitbit data.
Your Fitbit device tracks steps and more. The data Fitbit receives depends on your device. The devices used in this study track heart rate, location, and sleep.
Fitbit uses the data it receives to provide, improve and develop its services. For example, with some devices, it uses information from your device to tell you about your activity and sleep.
You can delete the data collected by Fitbit and your Fitbit account at any time. Click here for more information.
Fitbit is a part of the Google Family. Click here for more information.

If you don’t already have a Fitbit or Google account, you will be asked to set up a Google account. When you set up a Google account for Fitbit, you will be asked to agree to Google’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Please read them carefully. You can read them here Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

All of Us does not control Google’s Terms of Service or Privacy Policy.
The Terms of Service and Privacy Policy are like an agreement or set of rules between you and Google. You need to follow these rules to use Google services and have a Google account. These rules are legally important. Not following them could lead to legal consequences.
Google collects your data when you use their services. This included what you share, like your name when creating an account. And what they learn as you use their services. This can also include your location data depending on your device and account settings.
If you use a Google account for Fitbit to log in Fitbit, your Fitbit data will be linked to your Google account and Google’s Privacy Policy will apply to Fitbit’s devices and services. Click here for more information.
Google uses the data to offer Google services, such as enhancing your search experiences and improving their services.
You have the ability to manage your data in your Google account. You can delete your Google account at any time. More details are in Google’s Privacy Policy. Deleting the Google account used for Fitbit will also delete your Fitbit data.
All of Us will protect the data you share with us. But we cannot protect or control what Google does with your Google account data.

In addition to what is mentioned above, you may experience reduced battery life of your mobile device by connecting the Fitbit device using Bluetooth. It is recommended that you connect to your Wi-Fi network before using the participant portal. Please also note that data and message charges may occur as a result of taking part in this study. You must also maintain good hygiene while wearing your Fitbit device to avoid developing skin rash, as could happen with any wrist worn accessory.

Fitbits have a heart rate tracking feature called PurePulse Technology that may pose risks to users with certain health conditions. Consult your doctor prior to use of such products if you (1) have a medical or heart condition, (2) are taking any photosensitive medicine, (3) have epilepsy or are sensitive to flashing lights, (4) have reduced circulation or bruise easily, or (5) have tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or other musculoskeletal disorders.

Fitbit devices should not be used for medical purposes. Consult your health care professional about any questions or health issues you may have.

WEAR Study, Wear Page

Who has access to the WEAR Study data?

Only the All of Us program and approved researchers will be allowed to see your data. Your WEAR Study data will be combined with the rest of your All of Us data. These researchers may be from anywhere in the world. They will study many different things. They may work for companies, like drug companies. However, Fitbit and/or Google will also have access to your Fitbit data as outlined in Fitbit’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and Google’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy depending on your account type you used for Fitbit.

WEAR Study, Wear Page

How is this data going to be used?

Researchers may use these data to learn more about lifestyle behaviors, health and usage of wearable sensors. This information, in addition to other data you have shared with the program, can give researchers a more complete understanding about your lifestyle habits.

WEAR Study, Wear Page

If I say no, can I still be part of All of Us?

Yes. You can choose whether or not you want to take part in the WEAR Study. If you say no, you can still participate in other parts of All of Us. We respect whatever you decide.

WEAR Study, Wear Page

Can I choose which Fitbit data I share?

You can decide which data from your account for Fitbit you want to share with the All of Us Research Program when you connect your account for Fitbit to All of Us. These data include things like sharing steps, heart rate, weight, and sleep.

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