Kaiser Permanente
Division of Research Spotlight
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. Currently, DOR’s 550-plus staff is working on more than 350 epidemiological and health services research projects.
“This study demonstrates the importance at every BMI level of having more precise measures of muscle and fat to help identify those patients who are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease,” said co-author Bette J. Caan, DrPH.
"As a first-year medical student, I enjoyed learning about the pathophysiology of disease. But as I gained more experience caring for patients suffering from these diseases, I realized I wanted to focus more on understanding the patient’s experience."
Genetics research suggests that longer telomeres — the “end caps” of DNA that keep strands of chromosomes from unraveling — mean more years of healthy life ahead.
Nine out of 10 Kaiser Permanente members who had a primary-care video visit were confident in the quality of care received, reported that the provider was familiar with their medical history, and felt that their health care needs were adequately addressed.
A new study suggests that the benefits to adolescent teens of screenings, interventions, and referrals can last for many years and can include sustained reductions in mental health conditions.
The former social worker now researches how to prevent and treat alcohol abuse in primary care. She's looking at ways to reduce alcohol, drug, and other behavioral health problems in at-risk children, adolescents, and adults.
Women who start their period later, go through menopause earlier or have a hysterectomy may have a greater risk of developing dementia, according to a new study led by Kaiser Permanente researchers and published in the journal, Neurology.
Coinciding with Colon Cancer Awareness Month (March), Kaiser Permanente Northern California received the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable’s prestigious “80% by 2018” National Achievement Award, in recognition of screening rates over 83 percent for colorectal cancer.
The Research Society on Alcoholism awarded its 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award to Constance (Connie) Weisner, DrPH, for a "long, balanced career including outstanding research, training, service, and advocacy."
Does weight gain — or loss — change a breast cancer patient's cancer outcome? What about muscle mass? Epidemiologist Bette Caan wanted to find out about that, and more.
