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.

5 Questions for . . . Theodore R. “T. R.” Levin

Kaiser Permanente research scientist and TPMG physician leads award-winning colorectal cancer screening program.
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Higher street-level traffic-related air pollution linked to increased emergency room costs

Kaiser Permanente study conducted with scientists from the Environmental Defense Fund finds higher total health care costs for people with heart disease.
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Not all adults newly diagnosed with diabetes equally likely to start treatment

Kaiser Permanente study found adults of certain racial and ethnic groups are less likely to start medication within the first year of diagnosis.
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Exposure to small children linked to lower risk of severe COVID-19

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.
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Video: Celebrating 60 years of health research

In 2022, the Division of Research celebrates more than 60 years of health care research. This new video helps tell our story.
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COVID-19 vaccination not tied to postmenopausal bleeding

Kaiser Permanente study does not support anecdotal reports that postmenopausal bleeding was common after COVID-19 vaccination.
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Shorter wait between COVID-19 and elective surgery possible

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.
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5 Questions for . . . Carlos Iribarren

Kaiser Permanente research scientist’s wide-ranging interests have built an expansive epidemiology career.
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Early antibiotics for sepsis supported in new study

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.
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Messages from doctors increased COVID-19 vaccination among Black, Latino elders

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.
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