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 600-plus staff is working on more than 580 epidemiological and health services research projects.
Cancer biopsy during colonoscopy doesn’t start new tumors
May 26, 2022
Kaiser Permanente clinical research finds patients who have a site biopsied after a suspected cancer is biopsied are not more likely to develop a second cancer.
Low stroke risk in patients with very narrowed neck arteries causing no symptoms
May 24, 2022
Kaiser Permanente study suggests medical management alone may reduce stroke risk in patients with severe asymptomatic carotid stenosis.
Lifestyle coaching helps Black adults control high blood pressure
May 18, 2022
A new Kaiser Permanente study found that a culturally tailored program could lead to long-term benefits in adults with hypertension.
Many patients with blood clots can go home from ER
May 16, 2022
A decision support tool implemented in Kaiser Permanente Northern California emergency departments in 2016 has continued to help physicians safely discharge patients with an acute pulmonary embolism to their homes without harmful effects, a new study shows.
Lower in-hospital mortality for vaccinated patients hospitalized with COVID-19
May 9, 2022
COVID-19 patients in Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals during the delta surge of 2021 were less likely to die in the hospital of COVID-19 if they were vaccinated, new research finds.
New clues in early prediction of gestational diabetes
May 9, 2022
Kaiser Permanente researchers have identified several biological markers in the blood of pregnant people that are tied to an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes later in pregnancy.
Pandemic stressors taking a toll on pregnant patients’ mental health
May 4, 2022
Pregnant patients surveyed by Kaiser Permanente researchers early in the COVID-19 pandemic reported more severe mental health symptoms when they were distressed about changes in prenatal care, childcare challenges, and food insecurity. A second study found disparities in how Black and Hispanic pregnant individuals experienced pandemic stressors compared with white patients.
Podcast: Friends, family, outdoors provide pandemic pregnancy support
May 4, 2022
A survey of Kaiser Permanente Northern California patients during the early months of the pandemic finds those who used certain coping mechanisms were less likely to have depression or anxiety symptoms.
New radiology reporting system decreased time to pancreatic cancer diagnoses
April 27, 2022
A new Kaiser Permanente study shows that having radiologists use standardized terms and hashtags to describe what they see creates a clearer path for physician follow-up that can lead to earlier detection of pancreatic cancer.
Heart bypass surgery may be best treatment after heart attack for some older adults
April 21, 2022
A new Kaiser Permanente study suggests that for many seniors bypass surgery may lead to better long-term outcomes than stenting.
