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.
Exposure to small children linked to lower risk of severe COVID-19
July 27, 2022
Adults with young children – and exposure to their colds – were less likely to have severe illness from COVID-19 than similar adults without children, a Kaiser Permanente study finds.
Video: Celebrating 60 years of health research
July 25, 2022
In 2022, the Division of Research celebrates more than 60 years of health care research. This new video helps tell our story.
COVID-19 vaccination not tied to postmenopausal bleeding
July 20, 2022
Kaiser Permanente study does not support anecdotal reports that postmenopausal bleeding was common after COVID-19 vaccination.
Shorter wait between COVID-19 and elective surgery possible
July 19, 2022
Kaiser Permanente researchers have good news for patients, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and hospital administrators who have had to put off elective surgery because of a positive COVID-19 test. Among fully vaccinated patients, there may not be an elevated risk with surgery soon after COVID-19.
5 Questions for . . . Carlos Iribarren
July 11, 2022
Kaiser Permanente research scientist’s wide-ranging interests have built an expansive epidemiology career.
Early antibiotics for sepsis supported in new study
June 27, 2022
A large multi-hospital analysis found that early antibiotics in sepsis patients resulted in improved health outcomes for them without posing unintended consequences for others, such as expanding overall antibiotic use or worsening antibiotic resistance.
Messages from doctors increased COVID-19 vaccination among Black, Latino elders
June 17, 2022
Elderly Black and Latino people were more likely to get a COVID-19 vaccination after they received an email or letter from their Kaiser Permanente doctor, new research finds.
Bette Caan joins global Cancer Grand Challenges team
June 16, 2022
Caan joins a team of researchers who have received a $25 million Cancer Grand Challenges award to tackle the challenge of cachexia — a debilitating wasting condition people often experience in the later stages of their cancer.
COVID-19 patients did better if they had booster vaccination
June 16, 2022
A large Kaiser Permanente analysis of COVID-19 patients confirms the value of vaccination, finding higher rates of hospitalization and advanced medical care for COVID-19 patients who were unvaccinated, were vaccinated but not boosted, or who had an additional health condition such as obesity or heart disease.
Not all heart failure patients require hospitalization
June 10, 2022
Kaiser Permanente researchers have developed a risk stratification tool to guide hospital admissions from the emergency department for patients with acute heart failure.
