The California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine (CIAPM) is celebrating its ten-year anniversary, marking a decade of leadership in advancing health equity research across the state. Established in 2015, CIAPM has been continually supported by the California State Legislature and Governors Brown and Newsom. Precision medicine is a method of identifying the right treatment for the right patient at the right time. This important work aims to account for all aspects of one’s biology, behavior, lifestyle, and environment to provide personalized and optimized health interventions. Housed in the California Health and Human Services Agency, CIAPM supports cutting-edge biomedical and health research that harnesses data to generate new insights, prioritizes whole-person care, and advances community-driven solutions to reduce health inequities.
CIAPM-funded research aims to improve health for all Californians. To date, CIAPM has received $67 million in appropriations from the Legislature and awarded $49 million in research grants across four portfolios: (1) the inaugural precision medicine pilots ($11.1 million; 8 projects), (2) the cancer research disparities program ($9 million; 3 projects), (3) the adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) research program ($20.1 million; 7 projects), (4) the depression research program ($8.9 million; 3 projects).
“Primarily through research grantmaking, CIAPM drives the development of innovative technologies and personalized strategies and coordinates cross-sector partnerships for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment to improve the health and well-being of all Californians,” said Chief Science Officer of Precision Medicine, Dr. David Reiner.
“CIAPM’s research investments have continued to reflect my administration’s priorities on behavioral health and advancing a California for All,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom. “CIAPM has created and galvanized a robust precision medicine research ecosystem in California, with tangible outcomes for the state.”
Notable key accomplishments of CIAPM-funded research include:
- Genetic research that revolutionized infectious disease diagnostics and later helped identify and track COVID-19 variants, including the first known U.S. case of the COVID-19 omicron variant, in collaboration with CDPH. The team was also granted FDA breakthrough device designation for two separate diagnostic tests and launched a California startup company, Delve Bio (UCSF, Lead Researcher: Dr. Charles Chiu). Because of this work, patients may be able to receive an accurate infection diagnosis, leading to faster and more precise treatment.
- AI research that could detect impacts from traumatic brain injuries and was qualified by the FDA as a medical development device tool (UCSF, Lead Researcher: Dr. Pratik Mukherjee). Because of this work, patients may be able to receive an accurate diagnosis after head trauma, leading to more effective treatment plans.
- Research that integrated community health workers into cancer care delivery, through culturally appropriate patient education and navigation. The team found patients were 3-times more likely to receive tumor testing and 5-times less likely to be hospitalized, improving cancer care in Latino communities and serving as a scalable model for underserved communities. (Stanford University, Lead Researcher: Dr. Manali Patel). Because of this work, patients receiving support from community health workers receive a faster and more accurate cancer diagnosis, leading to fewer hospital visits and potentially more precise treatment.
- Research on a scalable precision stress management program, tailored to a person’s primary stressor, that demonstrated reduced self-reported stress by roughly 20%. (UCLA, Lead Researcher: Dr. George Slavich). Because of this work, people may be able to improve their stress virtually by modulating their stressors, such as with sleep, physical activity, and more.
- Ongoing research to develop and test the ability for an identify-affirming digital mental health platform paired with peer counseling to reduce or prevent depressive symptoms in youth, including LGBTQ+ youth. (Santa Clara University, Lead Researcher: Dr. Greg Hajcak). Because of this work, youth may be able to reduce their depression through a personalized digital application and peer counseling.
Additionally, the Assembly recognized former CIAPM Co-Principal Investigator, Blanca Meléndrez, for the 2024 James Irvine Leadership Award and former CIAPM-supported trainee, Harwood Garland, for the 2025 Veteran of the Year Award. Former CIAPM Director, Dr. Julianne McCall was also recognized as Biocom California’s 2023 Government Official of the Year.
“CIAPM’s accomplishments over its first decade are truly remarkable. Its mission to harness data, generate new insights, prioritize whole-person care, and advance community-driven solutions to reduce health inequities closely aligns with CalHHS’s guiding principles and mission, helping move us toward a Healthier California for All.” said Kim Johnson, Secretary of California Health and Human Services
Later this year, CIAPM will award research projects for representative precision medicine research that supports inclusion of underrepresented communities, who have been underrecognized or historically excluded, in research studies (~$6 million for 3-5 projects). CIAPM will also support doctoral student research and build a cohort of approximately 15 early career researchers to develop the next generation of precision medicine leaders ($2 million for ~15 doctoral students).
Now more than ever, while federal research investments are increasingly unpredictable, these grants aim to provide certainty and fill gaps in investments as a direct response to the shifting landscape. These grants also reflect the values of a ‘Healthy California for All,’ with a focus on health disparities and minoritized groups that have seen the largest cuts in federal health research spending.
Over the next several years, these investments in precision medicine will continue to demonstrate the value of whole-person and health equity research nationwide, establishing California as the leader of a healthier future.
Please join CIAPM for a celebratory event on April 9th, 1-3:30 pm, featuring presentations, a panel discussion, and a short reception. Location: 1700 K St, Room 17.1014, Sacramento, CA or virtually on Zoom. Registration is required. Please register In Person or on Zoom. See flyer for details.
