The Kaiser Permanente Division of Research conducts, publishes, and disseminates epidemiologic and health services research to improve the health and medical care of Kaiser Permanente members and society at large. We seek to understand the determinants of illness and well-being and to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of health care. DOR’s 600-plus staff is currently working on more than 580 epidemiological and health services research projects. Read our story on how it all began and in our interactive anniversary timeline.
National quality measurements may not accurately reflect a hospital’s surgical risks
September 13, 2022
A new Kaiser Permanente study finds the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project report falls short on estimates of a patient's risk of developing heart problems after surgery.
5 Questions for . . . Hélène Choquet
September 8, 2022
Researcher Hélène Choquet, PhD, was in college studying biology when she heard about the first complete sequencing of the human genome; her interest in genetics has led her to a career exploring the genome for the origins of disease.
Home-delivered, medically tailored meals may benefit recently hospitalized patients with heart failure
August 25, 2022
A new Kaiser Permanente study finds promise in ‘food as medicine’ delivery for some — but not all — patients with chronic conditions.
Threshold for problem drinking identified in Kaiser Permanente study
August 24, 2022
Five or more days of heavy drinking in a 3-month period predicts an increased likelihood that a person will develop a severe alcohol use disorder, according to new research from Kaiser Permanente.
Childhood weight tied to timing of puberty
August 23, 2022
New Kaiser Permanente study is the largest and most racially and ethnically diverse to date to show an association between early obesity and puberty onset in boys and girls.
5 Questions for . . . Theodore R. “T. R.” Levin
August 11, 2022
Kaiser Permanente research scientist and TPMG physician leads award-winning colorectal cancer screening program.
Higher street-level traffic-related air pollution linked to increased emergency room costs
August 9, 2022
Kaiser Permanente study conducted with scientists from the Environmental Defense Fund finds higher total health care costs for people with heart disease.
Not all adults newly diagnosed with diabetes equally likely to start treatment
August 4, 2022
Kaiser Permanente study found adults of certain racial and ethnic groups are less likely to start medication within the first year of diagnosis.
Exposure to small children linked to lower risk of severe COVID-19
July 27, 2022
Adults with young children – and exposure to their colds – were less likely to have severe illness from COVID-19 than similar adults without children, a Kaiser Permanente study finds.
Video: Celebrating 60 years of health research
July 25, 2022
In 2022, the Division of Research celebrates more than 60 years of health care research. This new video helps tell our story.
