![\"Catalystbysouthernresearch](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/catalystbysouthernresearch-1.jpg\" "\\"Health\\"")
Dr. Khalilah Brown, Chief Medical Officer at Southern Research. (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\nSponsored<\/p>\n
Dr. Khalilah Brown, Chief Medical Officer at Southern Research. (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\n
When it comes to your family\u2019s health, knowledge is power. Whether it\u2019s heart disease, diabetes or cancer, many conditions run silently through generations.\u00a0Now, Catalyst by Southern Research<\/a>\u00a0is giving Alabamians the chance to better understand those risks while also helping families across the state take steps toward healthier futures.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a research program with a bold mission: to see if providing access to genetic testing, resources, education and health information can improve health outcomes statewide. <\/p>\n We sat down with Dr. Khalilah Brown, Chief Medical Officer at Southern Research, to learn more about how it works.<\/p>\n Catching health challenges early<\/p>\n Alabama faces some tough health challenges.<\/p>\n Chronic conditions like heart disease are widespread in our area, and many go undiagnosed until it\u2019s too late. Combine that with the fact that half the state is rural, and access to specialized care can be limited.<\/p>\n That\u2019s where Catalyst<\/a> comes in. By providing genetic and chronic disease testing, they\u2019re giving people a chance to \u201ccatch it early,\u201d understand their family health risks and take proactive steps before a condition worsens.<\/p>\n At the same time, they\u2019re building a research database that could help scientists design better treatments tailored to Alabamians.<\/p>\n \u201cFor decades, much of our work in drug discovery benefitted people outside our state before it ever reached Alabama. Catalyst flips that script. This program was designed to give Alabamians access first, and to make sure patients and their providers can actually use the results in real healthcare decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Khalilah Brown, Chief Medical Officer at Southern Research<\/p>\n What your results can tell you <\/p>\n If you decide to participate in Catalyst, your test results will give you:<\/p>\n Genetic insights into your health risks (like heart disease, diabetes or certain cancers).<\/p>\n Pharmacogenetic results that show which medications may work best\u2014or which you should avoid\u2014based on your genes.<\/p>\n Information to share with your doctor that can guide personalized treatment.<\/p>\n Every participant also has the chance to meet with a genetic counselor to understand what the results mean for themselves and their families.<\/p>\n \u201cThis program guarantees patients results that are clinically actionable\u2014meaning you can actually use the information in your healthcare. At the same time, we\u2019re building a resource that could change how chronic diseases are managed in Alabama for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Khalilah Brown, Chief Medical Officer at Southern Research<\/p>\n What\u2019s the catch?<\/p>\n When I was first learning about Catalyst, I remember thinking it was too good to be true. But there\u2019s no hidden cost\u2014 the program is supported through state funding and Southern Research\u2019s nonprofit mission. <\/p>\n Importantly, only de-identified data (with no personal information attached) is used in research. Your results go directly back to your healthcare provider, just like any other lab test.<\/p>\n By participating, you\u2019re not just gaining insights into your own health, you\u2019re helping build a major resource that could improve care for thousands of Alabamians for years to come.<\/p>\n How to start<\/p>\n Joining Catalyst is simple:<\/p>\n Visit catalystbysouthernresearch.org<\/a> and sign up.<\/p>\n Fill out a short health survey.<\/p>\n Provide a sample, either at your doctor\u2019s office with a blood draw (if they\u2019re a Catalyst provider) or with a new at-home cheek swab kit.<\/p>\n Wait 6\u20138 weeks for results, which are sent to you and your provider.<\/p>\n Review your results with your doctor and, if needed, a genetic counselor.<\/p>\n Why it matters<\/p>\n Participating in Catalyst isn\u2019t just about you\u2014it\u2019s about your family and community, too. By learning more about your genetic risks, you can share valuable information with loved ones. <\/p>\n By contributing your de-identified data, you\u2019re helping researchers discover new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases for future generations. <\/p>\n If you\u2019ve ever wondered what your DNA can tell you about your health, you\u2019re not alone. Check out Catalyst by Southern Research to learn more<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sponsored by:<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n![\"Catalystbysouthernresearch](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/catalystbysouthernresearch-7-1.jpg\" "\\"Health\\"")
(Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\n![\"Catalystbysouthernresearch](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/catalystbysouthernresearch-14.jpg\" "\\"Health\\"")
Southern Research is located in downtown Birmingham. (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\n![\"Catalystbysouthernresearch](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/catalystbysouthernresearch-2.jpg\" "\\"Health\\"")
Dr. Brown, a Huntsville native, has worked in public health for more than 10 years. (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now) <\/p>\n
![\"Catalyst](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sr-catalyst.png\" "\\"Health\\"\/")
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