Low stroke risk in patients with very narrowed neck arteries causing no symptoms
Kaiser Permanente study suggests medical management alone may reduce stroke risk in patients with severe asymptomatic carotid stenosis.
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.
Pandemic stressors taking a toll on pregnant patients’ mental health
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
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, innovative support for people with serious mental illness
An innovative telehealth program at Kaiser Permanente Northern California has added psychiatric clinical pharmacists to the care teams treating people with serious, persistent mental illness.
National recognition for Kaiser Permanente early alert system
Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s life-saving Advance Alert Monitor (AAM) program — an early detection system that helps care teams predict when hospitalized patients are at risk for clinical deterioration — has been recognized by The Joint Commission and National Quality Forum.
Autistic people join autism project – as research partners
A group of Kaiser Permanente investigators is inviting their study subjects — autistic people — to participate as research partners, providing their own unique perspective on being autistic. Their initial focus is on gender, sexuality, and reproductive health in autism, but once trained, the advisers could help shape any future research project.
Medical assistants help close virtual visit digital divide
Patients participating in video visits with their primary care doctors in fall 2020 benefited from having a medical assistant help connect the call, particularly if they needed language interpretation or lived in a low-socioeconomic-status neighborhood, according to new Kaiser Permanente research.
Breast cancer treatment linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease
Kaiser Permanente study suggests women receiving certain common therapies for breast cancer may be at increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and other types of cardiovascular disease.
No difference found in infant outcomes between glyburide and insulin for gestational diabetes
A study of 11,321 patients treated for gestational diabetes with insulin or the medication glyburide did not find a difference in cesarean section rates or outcomes for the patients’ infants, suggesting many people with gestational diabetes could forego insulin injections in favor of taking a pill.
Gene tied to breast cancer treatment outcomes identified
Study led by Kaiser Permanente research scientist Lawrence H. Kushi, ScD, will help advance precision cancer care.
