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 or watch our video of how it all began and learn even more from our interactive anniversary timeline.
Pregnancy after bariatric surgery results in good birth outcomes
February 2, 2023
People who had bariatric surgery to address obesity and later became pregnant had less risk of poor outcomes such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes, in comparison with similar pregnant patients who did not have the surgery.
Alcohol check-in at primary care visit may benefit other conditions
January 30, 2023
Patients with hypertension and unhealthy alcohol use were more likely to see a decline in their blood pressure if they were asked about their alcohol drinking habits and provided a brief intervention during a visit with their primary care team.
Telemedicine gets boost from pandemic-era study
January 27, 2023
An analysis of Kaiser Permanente Northern California telehealth visits that took place early in the COVID-19 pandemic suggests that handling routine health concerns by phone or video is a safe and effective option alongside in-person visits.
Cancer diagnosis hastens aging in women
January 19, 2023
Kaiser Permanente study finds postmenopausal women with cancer report a greater decline in physical function than women who have not had cancer.
Study finds little evidence of link between autistic traits and PFAS environmental chemicals
January 12, 2023
A Kaiser Permanente analysis of prenatal exposure to the persistent environmental chemicals known as PFAS found suggestive evidence of an association with autism-related traits in children for just 1 of 8 PFAS chemicals studied.
Patients more likely to start treatment for alcohol problems during early pandemic
December 28, 2022
A Kaiser Permanente study finds more patients starting treatment for an alcohol problem in the pandemic, during a transition to telehealth, suggesting some may be more comfortable with a video or phone visit.
5 Questions for . . . Monique Hedderson
December 20, 2022
Kaiser Permanente Division of Research investigator Monique Hedderson was going to be a doctor, but a college job introduced her to epidemiology and she never turned back.
Cannabis legalization may have made use easier in pregnancy
December 14, 2022
California’s legalization of cannabis for adult-use may have reduced the stigma of using cannabis products during pregnancy and made them easier to obtain, according to new research from Kaiser Permanente investigators.
Seeking the best tests for babies with fever
December 7, 2022
New Kaiser Permanente research suggests a national clinical guideline on evaluating infant fever may not be ideal in all health care settings.
Smoking increases risk of bladder cancer recurrence
November 30, 2022
Kaiser Permanente "Be-Well" study finds long-term history of smoking cigarettes increases the risk of a cancer recurrence in people who have been treated for bladder cancer.
