Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
Alabama residents can get free genetic testing—here’s what one local learned
Reading time: 4 minutes
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When Mallie first heard about a free genetic testing program available to Alabamians—it sounded almost too good to be true. With a home testing kit, she was able to learn more about her health risks and meet with a genetic counselor to talk through her results.
We sat down with Mallie to talk about how simple the process really is, and what you could learn about your family’s genetic history.
Diving into the family tree
A Boaz native and Samford University graduate now living in Birmingham, Mallie was both curious and nervous to learn about her family genetics.
“I think it can be kind of scary to look at a family tree with everybody’s conditions and feel overwhelmed, like, ‘Oh my gosh, I could have all of these things—or none of them.’
I wanted to know which of these things I should actually be keeping an eye on, and what to do next.”
Catalyst, operated by Southern Research and sponsored by the state of Alabama, is designed to do exactly that: empower Alabamians with information about their hereditary health risks long before symptoms appear.
For Mallie, that meant finally getting answers about something that’s followed her family for generations: heart disease.
Easy + fast results
Once Mallie enrolled, the test was surprisingly simple.
“The process was so easy it almost didn’t feel real. They mailed a kit to my house, and I literally did a cheek swab in my kitchen. Not a drop of blood was drawn, and my results arrived within six to eight weeks.”
Mallie, Catalyst participant
Despite how easy the process was, receiving genetic test results can be…a lot.
Long words, unfamiliar terms and medical jargon can make anyone feel overwhelmed. That’s why Catalyst pairs every participant with a genetic counselor (again, at no cost).
“I’m not in the medical field, so getting pages of results was intimidating. But the genetic counselor walked me through everything. She explained what was worth looking into more, and what was probably not a big deal for me.”
Mallie, Catalyst participant
The counselor also recommended specialists, explained how to navigate insurance and even offered next steps for ongoing care. That guidance helped Mallie make an appointment with a cardiologist to follow up on specific markers found in her results.
A family affair
Heart issues run deep in Mallie’s family, so finally seeing which genetic markers applied to her brought a sense of direction.
“My dad always joked, ‘You can’t outrun your genetics,’ and I’d say, ‘Well, I’m gonna try,’
This testing helped me see exactly what I should be paying attention to.”
Mallie, Catalyst participant
Catalyst also encouraged her to share her results with her siblings.
“After my appointment, my counselor recommended that any siblings get tested too. I was able to loop my sister in and get her started on the program. It feels good to bring your family along with you.”
Mallie, Catalyst participant
Genetic testing with 5 easy steps
- Check eligibility — Confirm you’re an Alabama resident
- Sign up — Register through the Catalyst enrollment page
- Receive the kit — Catalyst mails a home testing kit to you
- Do the cheek swab — Follow the included instructions + mail the sample back
- Schedule genetic counseling — Catalyst provides a free counselor to explain your results and recommend next steps.
Accessible for all Alabama residents
For Mallie, the experience was empowering—not only because she gained personalized insight into her health, but because of how accessible the entire process was.
“I would absolutely recommend Catalyst to anyone. There’s truly no reason not to do it. It’s free, it’s easy and it gives you information that could genuinely change your health trajectory.
I think it’s incredibly important to have programs like this accessible to everyone, especially when genetic testing has historically been really expensive. It really means a lot.”
Mallie, Catalyst participant
If you’ve ever wondered what your DNA can tell you about your health, you’re not alone. Check out Catalyst by Southern Research to learn more.
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