NGHS Text Messaging Privacy Notice

We collect information in the following circumstances: 

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Direct Collection 

If you choose to receive text messages, the NGHS study team may contact you by SMS regarding your participation in the study. These messages may include study activities only. By selecting "Yes" and submitting the opt-in form you received via email, you authorize the NGHS study team to send you text messages related to study activities.

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From Study Records 

When participant contact information and communication preferences are imported from REDCap for the purpose of sending study-related messages. 

Direct Collection 

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We directly collect the following information: 

• Mobile phone number  

• SMS communication preferences, including consent to receive text messages and opt-out requests  

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Collection from Study Records 

We may use the following information maintained in REDCap: 

• Mobile phone number  

• Study enrollment status  

• Communication preferences related to SMS messaging  

Direct Collection 

We directly collect the following information: 

• Mobile phone number  

• SMS communication preferences, including consent to receive text messages and opt-out requests  

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Collection from Study Records 

We may use the following information maintained in REDCap: 

• Mobile phone number  

• Study enrollment status  

• Communication preferences related to SMS messaging 

We use the information collected through the text messaging service to: 

• Send links to study surveys  

• Send reminders to complete study activities  

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Research data are collected through secure study surveys rather than through text message responses. 

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Participants should not send personal, medical, or other sensitive information through text messages. 

We do not sell or rent personal information. 

We may share information with two research support providers that support study operations. Specifically, participant phone numbers and message delivery information are shared with: 

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• REDCap, which manages participant contact information and survey distribution  

• Twilio, which provides the SMS messaging platform used by the study  ​

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We require our two research support providers to protect information and use it only for purposes related to providing services on behalf of the study. 

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We may also disclose information when required by law or when necessary to protect the rights, safety, or security of study participants, UCSF, or others.

Participation in SMS communications is voluntary. 

If you wish to stop receiving study text messages, you may contact the study team at nghs-ucsf@ucsf.edu or reply STOP.  

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Opting out of text messages will not affect your participation in the NGHS study. 

Participants who do not receive SMS communications may be contacted through other approved methods, such as email. 

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To update your contact information or communication preferences, please contact the study team. 

UCSF recognizes the importance of maintaining the security of information collected and maintained as part of research activities and strives to implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information.  

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Text messages are used only to deliver study notifications and links to secure surveys. 

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Research data are collected through study surveys and in REDCap, a secure online data collection system commonly used for research and healthcare projects. 

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REDCap stores information on a confidential, password-protected server with appropriate security safeguards to protect your privacy. 

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Using this system allows us to collect and manage survey data electronically rather than using paper forms. 

This privacy notice may be updated from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page along with the date of the most recent revision.

If you have questions about this privacy notice or study-related text messages, please contact: 

NGHS Study Team at nghs-ucsf@ucsf.edu