Raising awareness about early puberty
KP Research Radio talks to Ai Kubo, PhD, MPH, about her research into why girls are starting puberty earlier than they have in the past, risks associated with early puberty — and potential interventions.
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.
Kaiser Permanente researchers study pandemic pregnancies
Kaiser Permanente researchers are surveying pregnant women during the pandemic and the first findings from the survey show a low percentage of COVID-19 infections, with higher prevalence among younger women, Hispanic women, and those living in neighborhoods with greater economic deprivation.
No serious health effects linked to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines
Federal and Kaiser Permanente researchers combing the health records of 6.2 million patients found no serious health effects that could be linked to the 2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
Teen suicidal thoughts and behaviors during pandemic vary by gender, diagnosis
The number of teens being seen at Kaiser Permanente Northern California emergency departments (ED) for suicidal thoughts and behaviors did not increase significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, though specific groups of teens may have sought care at higher rates during late 2020.
The findings were reported Sept. 1 in JAMA Psychiatry.
HIV prevention treatment shows gaps among key populations
A large, detailed look by Kaiser Permanente researchers at patients taking HIV-prevention drug therapy finds strong adherence soon after patients get the prescription, but less consistent use thereafter, particularly among groups considered high priority for receiving the medication.
5 Questions for . . . Ousseny Zerbo
Division of Research investigator Ousseny Zerbo, PhD, describes his long journey from his childhood and education in Burkina Faso to becoming an epidemiologist in Northern California.
Head and neck cancer patients benefit from patient-reported outcome surveys
Kaiser Permanente study shows survey tools routinely used in clinical trials can be successfully integrated into electronic medical records.
Predictive model paired with case management reduced rate of readmitted hospital patients
A follow-up program for Kaiser Permanente Northern California patients discharged from the hospital was associated with reduced readmissions without increased mortality, new research in the journal BMJ suggests.
For stomach cancer patients, a regionalized cancer care program can improve survival
New study describes how patients and physicians benefitted when Kaiser Permanente Northern California established a virtual, multidisciplinary gastric cancer team.
New tool for early identification of COVID-19 surges
Health systems could use data from routine clinical care to identify the onset of upcoming COVID-19 surges as many as 6 weeks before they occur, Kaiser Permanente researchers found in a study published in the journal BMJ Open.
