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.
Kidney Disease Increases the Risk of Stroke in Patients with the Most Common Type of Heart Arrhythmia, According to Researchers
OAKLAND, Calif., March 3, 2009 – Chronic kidney disease increases the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common type of heart arrhythmia, according to Kaiser Permanente researchers. The findings appear in the current online issue…
Largest Study To Date Compares Cholesterol Treatment in HIV Patients & Patients without HIV infection
Lipid Lowering Therapy OAKLAND, Calif., March 2, 2009 – A new study in the online issue of Annals of Internal Medicine has found that cholesterol medications can work well among certain HIV patients at risk for cardiovascular disease. Though HIV…
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Awards $8.6 Million Grant to Kaiser Permanente to Develop Largest, Most Diverse U.S. Biobank
Database Has Power to Reveal Environmental and Genetic Factors Behind Many Deadly Diseases; Groundbreaking Research Will Lead to Better Treatments Princeton, NJ –The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, through its Pioneer Portfolio, has awarded Kaiser Permanente $8.6 million to develop one…
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Creates National Network to Study Cardiovascular Disease
Oakland, CA – The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute has provided $7.5 million over the next five years to establish a collaborative Cardiovascular Research Network (CVRN). This national resource will leverage the collective cardiovascular expertise, diverse community-based study populations…
Depression during Pregnancy Can Double Risk of Preterm Delivery
Depression and Preterm Delivery Risk October 23, 2008 (Oakland, Calif.) - Depressed pregnant women have twice the risk of preterm delivery than pregnant women with no symptoms of depression, according to a new study by the Kaiser Permanente Division of…
Kaiser Permanente – Stanford heart research center funded to study treatment outcomes
The American Heart Association has awarded Kaiser Permanente’s Division of Research in Oakland and Stanford University’s Medical Center $3.89 million over the next four years to jointly run a new heart research center that aims to define optimal clinical care…
Medicare Part D beneficiaries may pay a price for poor knowledge of their Part D benefits, according to a new study
April 22, 2008 (Oakland, Calif.) – Medicare Beneficiaries have limited knowledge of their Medicare Part D outpatient prescription drug benefits. And those who are unaware of the coverage gap are less likely to report any cost-coping behaviors and more likely…
Larger Abdomen in MidLife Increases Risk of Dementia, According to a New Kaiser Permanente Division of Research Study
Larger Abdomen and Risk of Dementia Oakland CA – People in their 40s with larger stomachs have a higher risk for dementia when they reach their 70s, according to a study published in the March 26, 2008, online issue of…
Kaiser Permanente Study Shows Newer, Stronger Evidence that Caffeine During Pregnancy Increases Miscarriage Risk
Coffee, Miscarriage Linked Coffee, tea, soda and hot chocolate present risk January 21, 2008 (Oakland, Calif.) – High doses of daily caffeine during pregnancy – whether from coffee, tea, caffeinated soda or hot chocolate -- cause an increased risk of…
Kaiser Permanente Harvard Medical School Study Links Lack of Sleep to Weight Gain for New Moms
First Study Ever Finds Moms who Sleep Only Five Hours Have Tripled Risk of Excessive Weight at One Year After Baby’s Birth November 19, 2007 (Oakland, CA) – Mothers who reported sleeping five hours or less per day when their…