About

Why the REACH Program is important

The REACH Program brings health research opportunities to communities across Wisconsin, including those that are often hard-to-reach and located in geographically remote areas. To make participation as accessible as possible, we offer multiple ways to share information, such as paper and online surveys, and pilot new, participant‑administered methods for collecting biospecimens at home.

We are committed to involving community members and organizations throughout the entire research process. This includes inviting them to help shape the questions we study, ensuring the research reflects community priorities, and sharing our results openly with participants and partners. Our goal is to build meaningful, collaborative relationships that support healthier individuals, families, and communities.

About the REACH Program

The REACH Program builds on more than 15 years of work originally led by the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW). Our team continues SHOW’s core mission — to improve the health and well‑being of people in Wisconsin and the communities they call home. As part of this commitment, the REACH Program securely maintains the data and biospecimens that participants generously contributed during earlier phases of the SHOW study.

Today, REACH aims to expand and modernize this valuable resource by gathering updated information and biospecimens that reflect current public health priorities and scientific needs. We are reconnecting with more than 6,000 past SHOW participants and, at the same time, inviting an additional 2,000 individuals from across Wisconsin to join the study.

By participating, community members play an important role in building a stronger understanding of health in our state and in shaping research that can lead to healthier futures for everyone.