Featured News

New Study Offers Mental Health Treatment to Youth in OCHIN Clinics

Most children and adolescents with anxiety or depression go untreated. In partnership with the OCHIN network of safety net health clinics, CHR is testing a new program that offers children and adolescents therapy through primary care. The goal is to get more young people into treatment and help them to function better.

October 28, 2024

CHR Welcomes New Director, Fourth in 60 Years

In the view of CHR’s new director, the roles of research scientist and administrative director are related: They are both “force multipliers.” As an experienced research scientist and skilled administrative leader, Jennifer McClure, PhD, is poised to demonstrate that force. McClure, who joined CHR on Sept. 16, is the center’s fourth director since its founding 60 years ago.

September 20, 2024

Improving Cervical Cancer Screening in Safety Net Clinics

A new study at CHR is testing an alternative to the Pap test for cervical cancer screening. CHR Investigator Amanda Petrik’s new study, Self-Testing for Cervical Cancer in Priority Populations—the STEP-2 Trial, funded by the National Cancer Institute, seeks to increase cervical cancer screening rates in safety net clinics.

August 23, 2024

CHR Team Receives Two New SCOPY Awards

In July 2024, the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) again recognized outstanding work in colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research. This year, CHR has received two new SCOPY Awards:

• “Promoting Colorectal Cancer Screening in the African Methodist Episcopal Church Community" was selected for the SCOPY Inspiration & Impact Award
• “Creating Meaningful Colorectal Health Messages in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities" was selected for the Best Initiative Serving American Indian and Alaska Native Populations Award

July 25, 2024 (Update)

KP Medical School Taps CHR Investigators as Research Faculty, Mentors

When KP’s School of Medicine (KPSOM) welcomed its first class four years ago, KP investigators across the U.S. were invited to consider roles as research faculty members. Six CHR researchers answered the call. All KPSOM students must conduct research, and CHR's researchers offer students unprecedented opportunities to focus on areas of interest.

July 9, 2024

CHR Supports KPNW’s Center for Black Health & Wellness

To deliver the best care to patients, KPNW health system leaders rely on research expertise from the KP Center for Health Research. For the past two years, CHR’s Learning Health System Team has supported the development of the Center for Black Health and Wellness, set to open in 2024. The center seeks to address health disparities and will offer members a new option for primary care. Once it opens, CHR’s team will evaluate how well it is meeting its goals.

June 21, 2024

“Research is Like a Competitive Sport”: New Senior Investigator Brings Passion for Diabetes Research

“Research is like a competitive sport,” says Natalie Ritchie, PhD, MA. “It requires perseverance, drive, teamwork, and self-confidence, even when you’re down. And you need to have a game plan, too.” Ritchie, who joined CHR in June 2024, has been working in diabetes prevention for twenty years, but when she talks about it, she is as excited as when she started out.

June 10, 2024

CHR Ranks in Top Five for NIH Research Funding

The Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research was among the top five Oregon awardees of National Institutes for Health funding in fiscal year 2023. CHR ranked fourth in funding, according to the Portland Business Journal, with 15 grants totaling $10.8 million.

April 30, 2024

Calling KPNW Members ages 30-70: Connect today to prevent cancer tomorrow

Kaiser Permanente Northwest member Anthony “Tony” Armijo is neither a physician nor health researcher, but he’s part of a nationwide effort to prevent cancer— the Connect for Cancer Prevention Study. “It has to do with my outlook on the world,” he explains. “Cancer is something we’ve been fighting for a very long time and haven’t been able to beat. I don’t want to watch the battle from the sidelines.”

March 19, 2024

Helping Patients Navigate Cancer Costs: The CAFÉ Study

Going through cancer treatment is difficult enough, without having to worry about money. Financial stress related to cancer care is known to affect mental health—and even treatment outcomes—for cancer patients. The CAFÉ study is testing whether pairing patients with financial navigators can help reduce the financial stress of cancer treatment.

February 9, 2024

CHR Researchers Use Podcast to Improve Residents’ Training on Menopause

Kaiser Permanente Northwest physicians Kim Vesco and Amanda Clark are aware of the often-inadequate training medical residents receive to treat menopause. They also know that residents’ lives are very busy. Vesco and Clark devised a solution: a six-episode podcast linked with a classroom session to boost residents' knowledge and preparedness to treat menopause symptoms.

January 30, 2024

Lynn DeBar Returns to CHR, Bringing Expertise in Chronic Pain and Opioid Use

In January 2023, a familiar face returned to the Center for Health Research—Lynn DeBar, PhD, MPH. In recent years, Dr. DeBar’s research has focused on helping people with chronic pain and opioid use. Dr. DeBar has evaluated a variety of treatment approaches, such as physical therapy and acupuncture.

December 1, 2023

What Do Genetic Counselors Do?

In honor of Genetic Counselor Awareness Day on November 9^th, 2023, which helps people better understand the role genetic counselors play on their healthcare team, let’s take a closer look at the work of two genetic counselors at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research (CHR): Mari Gilmore, MS, and Jamilyn Zepp, MS.

November 11, 2023

CHR Researchers Engage with Health Systems to Prevent Suicide

From algorithms that can predict suicide risk to apps that promote mental health, Center for Health Research investigators are immersed in efforts to prevent suicide. Recent advances in technology show promise, including in determining who might be at risk of suicide so that steps can be taken to prevent it.

October 10, 2023

Study Tests Treating Insomnia to Prevent Diabetes

Could sleepless nights contribute to diabetes? Dr. Erin LeBlanc, a Senior Investigator at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research (KP CHR), is leading a new study called Sleep for Health that seeks to answer that question. The study will test whether a sleep treatment called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) results in lower blood sugar for people with prediabetes.

September 22, 2023

New Investigator Explores Connections Between Alzheimer’s and Sensory Impairments

As we age, our likelihood of developing dementia goes up, while the ability of our classical senses — hearing, vision, touch, taste, and smell — goes down. Willa Brenowitz, PhD, MPH, who joined the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research (CHR) as an Investigator in February 2023, is focused on teasing out the potential connections between the two.

September 8, 2023

CHR Researchers Show How Beneficial Video Messages Can Be for Patients

Did you know that 97% of people in the United States now own a cell phone? Yet, despite the very high penetration of smart phones into life and society, many health systems do not fully leverage these powerful tools to engage patients in their care. Investigators at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research are showing the benefits of using cell phones for patient outreach and education. Dr. Gloria Coronado and her team are partnering with the nation’s largest independent community health centers to reach more patients with tools to keep them healthy.

July 24, 2023

Kaiser Permanente Northwest Launches National Cancer Institute Research Study to Inform the Future of Cancer Prevention

Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research (Kaiser Permanente NW) has started recruitment for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, Connect for Cancer Prevention Study™ (Connect). Connect is designed to explore the causes of cancer and learn more about how to prevent it. Kaiser Permanente NW is one of nine health care systems across the country participating in this cutting-edge research. Together, these health care systems and the NCI seek to recruit 200,000 eligible adults over the next five years to participate in the study.

April 06, 2023

Temporary Support to Safety Net Clinics May Not Be Enough, New Study Shows

A new study led by Rachel Gold, PHD, MPH, Senior Investigator at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research in Portland, Oregon, and Lead Research Scientist at OCHIN Inc., and colleagues, assessed whether providing six months of technical assistance and coaching can improve social risk screening and referral-making in community health centers. The results are published in NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery.

March 15, 2023

COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness study now includes testing for RSV and influenza

Researchers are seeking to recruit 3,500 children and adults in the Pacific Northwest to assess how well vaccines protect against COVID-19 infection.

March 1, 2023

A call to “Connect” for cancer research

The Connect for Cancer Prevention Study, or “Connect,” is led by a team at the largest cancer research group in the world, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NCI is partnering with researchers at nine health care systems across the United States, including those here at Kaiser Permanente Northwest’s Center for Health Research.

September 21, 2022

CHR Director Lucy Savitz is Homeward Bound

After five years as the Director of the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research (CHR) and Vice President for Health Research at KPNW, Lucy Savitz, PhD, MBA, is stepping down for family reasons

August 5, 2022

Kaiser Permanente launches large-scale study focusing on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in children

Researchers from Kaiser Permanente Northwest, the University of Washington, and Seattle Children’s Hospital plan to recruit 3500 individuals as part of this long-term effort

July 28, 2022

Web-based tool may reduce heart disease risk among health center patients, study finds

The use of a clinical decision support system (CDSS) linked to electronic health records shows promise in reducing the risk of heart disease — the leading cause of death in adults in the United States — among patients who receive primary care at community health centers, according to a recent study.

March 11, 2022

Leana Wen, MD, Delivers CHR’s 30th Annual Saward Lecture

Dr. Wen described her experiences being on the front lines in the fight for public health

December 10, 2021

CHR Director Lucy Savitz Helps Set Research Agenda on Care for Patients with Multiple Chronic Conditions

With one in three adults in the U.S. living with MCC, the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recognized the need to provide evidence in supporting optimal healthcare for these individuals. AHRQ invited CHR Director Lucy A. Savitz, PhD, MBA, to join a planning group that led to a new AHRQ research agenda in caring for people with MCCs.

November 15, 2021

What research is teaching us about COVID-19 vaccines

A team of scientists here at CHR in Portland are broadening our knowledge of COVID-19 vaccine safety and effectiveness and helping shape national guidelines.

October 14, 2021

CHR’s Gloria Coronado Joins National Committee to Improve Representation in Research

Gloria Coronado, PhD, received the honor of being asked by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to join a Committee on Improving the Representation of Women and Underrepresented Minorities in Clinical Trials and Research.

September 1, 2021

CHR launches study to determine best time for gestational diabetes screening

Nationwide study aims to recruit people in the first trimester of pregnancy

June 8, 2021

CHR researchers have been working to ensure the COVID-19 vaccines are safe

“We’ve been looking for long-term health consequences of vaccines in the Vaccine Safety Datalink for a long time, and we haven’t found any. If a vaccine reaction is going to happen, it usually occurs in the first six weeks after vaccination.”
—Allison Naleway, CHR Distinguished Investigator

May 24, 2021

New Study Finds that Integrating Medical Care into Dental Offices Helps Seniors Access Needed Care

Recent learning health system research by Investigators at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research (CHR) and partners in the Kaiser Permanente Northwest Dental system has shown that integrating medical care into dental offices is an effective way to help older patients receive this kind of medical care.

May 7, 2021

Study Shows Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines Are Highly Effective, Results Featured at White House Briefing

A CDC-funded study conducted at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research and at several other sites across the U.S. found that both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are highly effective at preventing infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Apr 5, 2021

Trial Compares Two Gestational Diabetes Screening Methods

Kaiser Permanente researchers conducted a large-scale randomized trial involving nearly 24,000 women and found no difference in health outcomes.

Mar 10, 2021

CHR Provides Access to Biospecimen Resources for Researchers

Specimens linked to electronic health records include research participants tested for COVID-19

Dec 21, 2020

Kaiser Permanente sponsors special supplemental issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine that addresses implementation & quality improvement sciences

The journal is committed to be a venue not just for evidence-informed medicine and healthcare but also for evidence-informed implementation and quality-improvement.

Nov 13, 2020

Kaiser Permanente joins late-stage COVID-19 vaccine study

The phase 3 clinical trial will test the vaccine in 1,400 adults at sites in California and Oregon.

Aug 12, 2020

New Grants Expand Study to Increase Equity in Genetic Testing

Study offers testing for inherited cancer syndromes to diverse populations

Aug 4, 2020

CHR Researchers Engage with Health Systems to Prevent Suicide

From algorithms that can predict suicide risk to apps that promote mental health, Center for Health Research investigators are immersed in efforts to prevent suicide. Recent advances in technology show promise, including in determining who might be at risk of suicide so that steps can be taken to prevent it.

October 10, 2023

KPNW Doc’s New Book Guides Patients in Self-Care

Book Reflects 20 + Years Treating Patients

July 16, 2020

Kaiser Permanente Statement on the Passing of State Representative Mitch Greenlick, PhD

May 17, 2020

CHR Rapidly Launches COVID-19 Studies

Clinical Trial and Surveillance Studies Underway

April 17, 2020

Kaiser Permanente Northwest Accelerates Focus on Genomic Research

Center for Health Research builds on nationally recognized genetics experts to centralize translational and applied genomic research

Dec 5, 2019

National Health Recommendations Rely on Kaiser Permanente Researchers

Independent research teams help ensure patients’ health care decisions are guided by the best scientific evidence

Oct 25, 2019

5 Questions With a Mental Health Services Researcher

Bobbi Jo Yarborough leads large-scale study to examine connection between opioid use and suicide risk.

Oct 15, 2019

CHR’s First Podcast Will Teach Docs About Menopause

Podcasts are an effective format to reach busy residents

Oct 8, 2019

Web-based Toolkit Available to Facilitate Patient Engagement in Research

Materials designed to support researchers who recruit, train, and work with patient partners

Oct 3, 2019

Why Do Few Providers Screen For Social Determinants Of Health?

Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research Senior Investigator Rachel Gold’s commentary in JAMA reinforces need to remove barriers to social risk screening

Sep 26, 2019

New Additions to CHARM Study Reflect Genetic Testing’s Potential

Studies reflect interest in genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes, particularly for underrepresented minorities and low-income populations

Sep 16, 2019

5 Questions with a vaccine safety expert

Allison Naleway, PhD, is an epidemiologist here at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, where her research focuses on the evaluation of vaccine safety and effectiveness and the surveillance of vaccine-preventable and other infectious diseases.

Sep 3, 2019

Three Pilot Studies Advance Community Health

Three CHR investigators received community benefit funding from Kaiser Permanente Northwest last year to conduct pilot research projects. Here’s a wrap-up of what these studies did and what they found.

July 11, 2019

CHR receives $14.2 million grant for dental research

CHR will serve as the Data Coordinating Center for the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network

July 11, 2019

Chickenpox vaccination lowers risk of pediatric shingles

Kaiser Permanente-led study of more than 6 million children showed routine varicella vaccine considerably lessened likelihood of painful shingles disease.

June 10, 2019

Vitamin D Supplementation Does Not Significantly Reduce Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in the General Prediabetes Population

Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research contributes to largest ever clinical trial of Vitamin D and Type 2 Diabetes

June 10, 2019

Measuring the Economic and Social Toll of Cancer on Younger and Middle-aged Survivors and their Families

Study shows how patients and their families often face unanticipated social and economic challenges associated with their cancer diagnosis and treatment

May 24, 2019

Studies show patient-centered messaging improves rates of Latino-based colorectal cancer screening

Trials test effectiveness of outreach based on patients’ preferences for timing and content of messages

May 17, 2019

Addressing racial disparities in health care

CHR Investigator Gloria Coronado joined Oregon Health Forum discussion on how to remove barriers and address issues of health equity for the populations we serve

June 24, 2019

Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research ranked 4th in Oregon for federal health research money

According to a recent survey in the Portland Business Journal, CHR received 17 grants from the NIH in 2018 for a total of $11,933,644, or just over 3.3 percent of the $357.8 million in funding awarded to Oregon researchers.

May 14, 2019

New Study Finds Preventing Youth Depression Is Cost-Effective

A new paper by Frances Lynch, PhD, Senior Investigator at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, found that a program to prevent depression among at-risk adolescents is cost-effective.

Feb 25, 2019

CHR Director Lucy Savitz attends grand opening of Meals on Wheels People’s latest venture: The Diner Vancouver

In addition to the typical diner fare of burgers, salads, and pies, food security and intergenerational dining were on the menu at the grand opening of The Diner Vancouver on February 19, 2019, the latest venture by the local non-profit Meals on Wheels People, which provides meals to homebound seniors in the Portland metropolitan area.

Feb 22, 2019

CHR and Community Health Workers Building a “Bridge to Health” for Underserved Diabetes Patients

According to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention, approximately 40% of American adults are living with diabetes or prediabetes, and many with diabetes aren’t properly managing their chronic disease. Now, work at Kaiser Permanente’s Center for Health Research (CHR) aims to assess interventions that might help patients in need better manage their type 2 diabetes.

Feb 14, 2019

Research Team Ends Three-Decade Study with Publication on Older Women and Long-Term Weight Loss

Launched in 1987, the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures became the longest-running study in the 54-year history of the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research.

Oct 29, 2018

Engaging with Patients to Boost Colorectal Cancer Screening and Reduce Disparities

A team from the Center for Health Research visited AltaMed Health Services in Los Angeles as part of a community-based participatory research project designed to increase colorectal cancer screening rates in underserved populations.

Oct 26, 2018

Center for Health Research and OHSU Receive Major Grant to Pursue Learning Health System Science

The nearly $4 million award, from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, will fund a new Center of Excellence for collaborative health care research.

Oct 25 2018

Robert Sapolsky Delivers CHR’s 28th Annual Saward Lecture

With rich scientific content and plenty of humor, author and biologist Robert Sapolsky illuminated the causes and health impact of stress at the 2018 Saward Lecture.

Oct 18, 2018

CHR Investigator Stephanie Fitzpatrick Lauded for Health Care Innovation

At its annual Health Care of the Future event, the Portland Business Journal honored early-career researcher Stephanie Fitzpatrick with a “Health Care Five Under Forty” award.

Sep 27, 2018

Five Key Takeaways from “Mind the Gap: Putting Evidence into Practice in the Era of Learning Health Systems”

Three experts in the field of Learning Health Systems—including Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research Director Lucy Savitz—propose a new strategy for bridging the gap between health research and clinical practice.

Aug 30, 2018

Weighing the Alternatives: Complementary and Integrative Medicine Services at Kaiser Permanente Northwest

Kaiser Permanente Northwest covers a range of complementary services—and the Center for Health Research plays a key role in understanding how well they work, how cost-effective they are, and what patients and doctors are saying about them.

Aug 30, 2018

Large Study Finds HPV Vaccination Does Not Negatively Impact Fertility in Adolescents

Adolescents who receive recommended vaccinations, including for human papillomavirus, have no increased risk of primary ovarian insufficiency, also known as premature menopause, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published today in Pediatrics.

Aug 21, 2018

A Shot in the Arm — CHR Team Gives Vaccine Safety Research a ‘Boost’

Vaccination plays a major role in maintaining public health locally and across the globe. Many families in the United States immunize their children according to medical guidelines, and many adults stay on top of their own vaccinations, but public opinion on vaccine safety ranges from all-out approval to the belief that vaccines lead to severe medical issues. Available data suggest we have a lot of room to improve vaccination rates for both adults and children.

Aug 15, 2018

New Kaiser Permanente Study Will Examine the Role of Opioid Use in Suicide Risk

Researchers aim to improve powerful prediction tools that help clinicians identify patients at high risk for suicide.

Aug 07, 2018

Community Health Centers Can Help Boost Rates of Colorectal Cancer Screening, Kaiser Permanente Study Shows

Electronic health record-enabled tools, free screening tests and reminder letters help increase cancer screening rates in traditionally underserved patients

Aug 06, 2018

One Year In, CHR Director Lucy Savitz Is Focused on the Future

In May 2017, for only the third time in its 53-year history, the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research (CHR) welcomed a new director. In the year since, Lucy A. Savitz, PhD, MBA, has both familiarized herself with CHR’s long history and set a course for the future with a new three-year strategic plan.

July 24, 2018

Soaring Cost of Cancer Care Prompts New Research and Dialogue

Health systems are under significant pressure to improve patient outcomes while also controlling costs.

June 29, 2018

A Perilous 2020 U.S. Census: Why the Count Counts

Proposed changes to the collection of census data may have troubling implications, argues CHR Director Lucy Savitz in a blog for the Kaiser Permanente Institute for Health Policy.

June 21, 2018

A call to “Connect” for cancer research

The Connect for Cancer Prevention Study, or “Connect,” is led by a team at the largest cancer research group in the world, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NCI is partnering with researchers at nine health care systems across the United States, including those here at Kaiser Permanente Northwest’s Center for Health Research.

September 21, 2022

Our 2017 Annual Report

Here at Kaiser Permanente’s Center for Health Research, 2017 was a year of change, ongoing discovery, and forward momentum.

June 05, 2018

New Study Shows Why Cancer Cost Planning Needs to Start Accounting for People Under 65

A study published in JNCCN estimates costs for people age 18 and up, ranks the price tags of the top four cancer types, and highlights potential cost-saving benefits of prevention and screening.

Apr 19, 2018

Only One-Third of Patients Diagnosed with Depression Start Treatment, Kaiser Permanente Study Finds

Likelihood of beginning treatment is especially low among ethnic and racial minorities and the elderly

Feb 08, 2018

Kaiser Permanente Study Finds Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Is Cost-Effective for Teens Who Decline Antidepressants

Cognitive behavioral therapy (or CBT) delivered in a primary care setting is a cost-effective way to treat adolescents with depression who decline or quickly stop using antidepressants, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published today in the journal Pediatrics.

Jan 19, 2018

Addressing Social Needs to Improve Health at Kaiser Permanente—and Beyond

Social determinants of health contribute greatly to health disparities, and addressing these factors can often be just as important to overall health as meeting medical needs.

Dec 13, 2017

Timely Publication on Opioid Dependency Makes a Splash on Twitter

As the opioid epidemic deepens, the public looks to researchers to help explain and confront the crisis.

Dec 07 2017

Expert in Adolescent Brain Development Delivers Annual Saward Lecture

Frances Jensen, MD, shared the latest research on the teenage brain.

Dec 07 2017

Remembering Andrew Glass, MD

Pediatrician, oncologist, and scientist, Dr. Glass founded the Kaiser Permanente Northwest Oncology department and helped make the region’s tumor registry a key asset for research.

Dec 07, 2017

Patients with Serious Mental Health Conditions Receive Preventive Care at Similar Rates as Those Without These Conditions, Study Finds

Researchers hypothesized that people with mental illnesses might receive less preventive care than people without these illnesses. However, this study, which included patients within the Kaiser Permanente system and patients who get their care from safety-net clinics, found just the opposite.

Oct 18, 2017

Live Phone Calls Better Than Text Messages to Remind People About Colon Cancer Screening

Study also finds differences in the way Spanish- and English-speaking patients respond to reminders

Oct 11, 2017

Landmark Study of Osteoporotic Fractures Draws to a Close After 31 Years

Our longest-running CHR study has produced dramatic discoveries, hundreds of scientific papers, and memorable relationships between researchers and participants.

Sep 20, 2017

Medicare Invests in Diabetes Prevention, and Health Researchers Seize the Moment

A new four-year study will evaluate diabetes prevention programs at Kaiser Permanente Northwest.

Sep 20, 2017

Donating DNA to Change the Future of Health Care

Launched in 2016, the KP Research Bank is positioned to become one of the world’s most important resources for genetic research.

Sep 20, 2017

Controlling Blood Sugar May Be Easier Than You Think

Large Kaiser Permanente study highlights health system’s ability to track important factors that can impact health outcomes

June 13, 2017

Researchers and Pharmacists Team Up to Combat Opioid Overuse

Scientists at the Center for Health Research recently partnered with KP pharmacists to test a program to curb prolonged opioid use, as part of an FDA-funded clinical trial.

May 04 2017

Reducing Unnecessary Screening for Vitamin D Deficiency

By making minor changes to their procedures for ordering tests, health care systems can help patients get the right screenings at the right time.

May 02, 2017

Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research Welcomes 30-Year Research Veteran Lucy Savitz as New Director

Lucy Savitz, PhD, MBA, a health services researcher with decades of experience translating scientific findings into clinical practice, will join the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research as its new director in May. Savitz will replace Mary Durham, PhD, who retired in November.

Feb 03, 2017

New Model Will Help Health Care Providers More Accurately Assess Breast Cancer Risk in Hispanic Patients

The Hispanic Risk Model is the first breast cancer model based exclusively on data from Hispanic women. It was developed by a Kaiser Permanente researcher and his colleagues and is published today in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Dec 20, 2016

Preventing a Rare But Tragic Outcome: Post-Tonsillectomy Death in Children

CHR researchers collaborated with Northwest Permanente physicians to reduce opioid prescriptions for children having tonsillectomies.

Dec 13 2016

As Autism Costs Rise, CHR Calculates Costs to Families

A four-year study funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health will assess the economic impact of autism spectrum disorder on families.

Dec 13, 2016

Sonia Shah Contemplates the Future of Pandemics at the 2016 Saward Lecture

The acclaimed science journalist explains the mechanisms of disease outbreaks.

Dec 13, 2016

After More Than Two Decades, Mary Durham Bids Farewell to the Center for Health Research

Retiring director plans to run more marathons, play the piano, and become fluent in Italian.

Dec 13, 2016

Lifestyle Intervention Helps People Taking Antipsychotic Medications Lose Weight and Reduce Diabetes Risk

The Dental Care Program at Kaiser Permanente Northwest proves to be a great laboratory for immunization research.

Dec 13 2016

Early and Late Menopause Can Increase Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Kaiser Permanente study also finds length of lifetime reproductive cycle can affect risk

Jul 26, 2016

National Diabetes Trial Gets Big Boost from KP Center for Health Research

On the NIDDK’s Glycemia Reduction Approaches in Diabetes study, CHR shines as a top-performing recruitment site

July 13, 2016

Living with Colorectal Cancer—for One Day

As part of the #ColorectalCancer1Day project, I spent a day in close contact with a cancer patient—learning from her, sharing stories, and reflecting on my own experience as a cancer survivor.

Jul 13 2016

Dual Efforts to Reduce Disparities in Breast Cancer Screening

CHR and KP Community Benefit work toward greater health equity for the Latino community

Jul 13, 2016

Mothers’ Excess Pregnancy Weight Gain and Elevated Blood Sugar ‘Imprint’ Obesity in Children

Children whose mothers gain excess weight or have elevated blood sugar during their pregnancies are more likely to become overweight or obese during their first decade of life, according to a new Kaiser Permanente study published today in Maternal and Child Health Journal.

May 06, 2016

Counseling in Primary Care Clinics Helps Speed Recovery for Depressed Teens

Kaiser Permanente study highlights benefit of cognitive behavioral therapy for teens who decline antidepressants. Depressed teenagers who received cognitive behavioral therapy in their primary care clinic recovered faster, and were also more likely to recover, than teens who did not receive the primary care-based counseling, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published today in the journal Pediatrics.

Apr 20, 2016

More Latinas Screened for Breast Cancer After ‘Promotora’ Visits

Latina women were nearly twice as likely to be screened for breast cancer after they were visited in their homes by trained community health workers, known as Promotoras, according to a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention.

Mar 31, 2016

Use of Online Health-Care Tools by Seniors Declines with Age and Differs by Race/Ethnicity

Despite widespread access to online health-care tools among U.S. seniors, a new Kaiser Permanente study found that digital access and usage preferences among seniors significantly differs by race/ethnicity and age. The study was published online today in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.

Mar 03, 2016

According to an Institute of Medicine study, cancer care costs in the United States are rising at two to three times the rate of other health care costs. To assess the financial burden of these expenses, Matthew Banegas of the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research and coauthors used data from a 2012 LIVESTRONG online survey of 4,719 cancer survivors, ages 18-64.

Jan 05, 2016

Diabetes Patients Do Better After Surgery When Their Blood Sugar Is Managed by Pharmacists

A pharmacy-led glycemic control program is linked to improved outcomes for surgical patients with diabetes and those who develop stress-induced hyperglycemia or high blood sugars as a result of surgery, according to a new Kaiser Permanente study published in the American Journal of Pharmacy Benefits.

Oct 27, 2015

Most Patients with Chronic Pain Use Alternative Therapies, But Many Don’t Tell Their Doctors

More than half of chronic pain patients in a managed care setting reported using chiropractic care or acupuncture or both, but many of these patients didn’t discuss this care with their primary care providers. These study results, published today in The American Journal of Managed Care, suggest that better care coordination is needed among patients and physicians.

Jul 20, 2015

Kaiser Permanente Helps Community Health Centers Implement New Medication Protocol Aimed at Reducing Heart Attack and Stroke Risk

The ALL protocol, established by Kaiser Permanente in 2003, reminds providers to prescribe blood pressure-lowering medications (ACE-inhibitors) and/or lipid-lowering medications (statins) for people with diabetes, who are often at increased risk for heart attacks and strokes.

Jun 10, 2015

Vitamin D and Calcium Supplement Do Not Improve Menopausal Symptoms

Women who took vitamin D and calcium supplements had the same number of menopausal symptoms as women who did not take the supplements, according to a study published today in Maturitas, the official journal of the European Menopause and Andropause Society.

Jun 01, 2015

Twelve-Year Study Suggests Procedures to Prevent Cervical Cancer Do Not Affect Fertility

Common surgical procedures used to diagnose and treat precancerous cervical lesions do not decrease women’s chances of becoming pregnant, according to a study that followed nearly 100,000 women for up to 12 years.

Feb 11, 2015

Service Dogs Help Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

She had only 20 minutes to testify, but it was plenty of time for Dr. Carla Green, a researcher with the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, to deliver a powerful message to an Oregon legislative subcommittee: Veterans with specially trained service dogs have fewer symptoms of Post-traumatic stress disorder, less depression, better interpersonal relationships and lower levels of substance abuse.

Jan 14, 2015

Not Enough Evidence to Recommend Routine Screening for Vitamin D Deficiency

Read the recommendation and evidence review published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Dec 23, 2014

Automated Reminders Improve Medication Adherence and Cholesterol Control

People who received automated reminders were more likely to refill their blood pressure and cholesterol medications, according to a study published today in a special issue of the American Journal of Managed Care.

Nov 17, 2014

Lifestyle Intervention Helps People Taking Antipsychotic Medications Lose Weight and Reduce Diabetes Risk

People with serious mental illnesses already at higher risk for obesity; medications that control their symptoms often lead to additional weight gain.

Sep 15, 2014

Novel Study Helps Women Who Are Obese Limit Weight Gain During Pregnancy

Healthy Moms program aims to reduce risk of complications for mothers and babies

Aug 28, 2014

Sharing our Science in Novel Ways

It’s not every day that you hear two kids discussing how to prevent colon cancer, but that’s just what they’re doing in a funny 90-second video we produced for the National Institutes of Health Common Fund video competition.In a second CHR video, a study participant with chronic pain tells her compelling story.

Apr 30, 2014

Mailing Free Tests to Patients’ Homes Boosts Colon Cancer Screening In Underserved Patients

STOP Colon Cancer program addresses disparities among uninsured, low-income and Latino patients

Feb 26 2014

Simple, At-Home Test Will Detect Most Colorectal Cancers

Largest and most comprehensive review of ‘FIT’ finds it is an effective cancer-screening tool

Feb 03, 2014

Review finds little evidence that supplements prevent cancer and heart disease

Millions of Americans take vitamins and mineral supplements to ward off disease, but a report by researchers at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research finds a lack of evidence that these supplements prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease and death.

Nov 13, 2013

Helping Patients with Advanced Disease Breathe Easier: Expert Panel Issues Recommendations for ‘Dyspnea Crisis’

Report calls for improved care for patients who experience severe shortness of breath

Oct 23, 2013

Children More Likely to Get Preventive Care When Parents Use Online Health Tools

Young children whose parents used an integrated personal health record were more likely to attend six or more of the nationally recommended well-child care visits by 15 months of age, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published today in The Journal of Pediatrics. Using any Web-enabled device, PHRs allow patients to view parts of their medical record, including immunizations and after-visit instructions, manage appointments, refill prescriptions, check lab results, and securely communicate with their health care providers.

Oct 11, 2013

Early Testing for Gestational Diabetes May Benefit Some High-Risk Women

A recent study conducted by the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research shows that testing high-risk women for gestational diabetes in the first trimester of pregnancy may identify the worst cases of the condition, allowing for earlier treatment.

Sep 12, 2013

KPCHR Sponsors Free Lecture by Pandemic Expert Nathan Wolfe

Dr. Wolfe—called “the world’s most prominent virus hunter” by The New Yorker—spends weeks at a time in African countries such as Cameroon and Gabon tracking down the source of the next potentially deadly virus. He is the founder of the Global Viral Forecasting Initiative (GVFI), a nonprofit promoting understanding, exploration and stewardship of the microbial world.

Sep 11 2013

Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research Receives $8 Million Grant for Novel Whole Genome Sequencing Study

Clinical trial will test women before they conceive for genetic mutations that could cause serious diseases in their children.

Jul 23, 2013

Young Children Who Miss Well-Child Visits Are More Likely to Be Hospitalized

Missing Visits Even More Detrimental For Children with Chronic Health Conditions.

May 24, 2013

Erectile Dysfunction More Common in Men Who Regularly Take Prescription Painkillers

Kaiser Permanente Study First to Use Electronic Health Records to Document Link Between Prescription Opioid Use and ED Prescriptions

May 15, 2013

Visiting the Doctor Boosts Colon Cancer Screening Rates

Patients who visited their doctor for any reason were nearly six times more likely to be screened for colon cancer compared to those who didn’t visit their doctor, according to a study funded by the National Cancer Institute and published online today in the American Journal of Managed Care.

Apr 29, 2013

Vitamin D Potency Varies Widely in Dietary Supplements

Kaiser Permanente Analysis Finds Consumers May Not Be Getting the Amount of Vitamin D They Expect

Feb 11, 2013

To Prevent Heart Attacks Diabetes Patients Should Focus More on Controlling Blood Pressure and Cholesterol than Controlling Blood Sugar

For people with diabetes, meeting the recommended guidelines for blood pressure and cholesterol is even more important than meeting the guidelines for blood sugar control in reducing the risk of heart attack or stroke, according to a new Kaiser Permanente study published today in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Jan 28 2013

KP Research Collaboration Now an Evidence-based Practice Center

For people with diabetes, meeting the recommended guidelines for blood pressure and cholesterol is even more important than meeting the guidelines for blood sugar control in reducing the risk of heart attack or stroke, according to a new Kaiser Permanente study published today in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Oct 18, 2012

HPV Vaccination Not Associated with Increased Sexual Activity Among Girls

Kaiser Permanente Study First to Examine Clinical Markers of Sexual Activity After HPV Vaccine

Oct 15, 2012

Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Weight Gain in Some Older Women

Kaiser Permanente Study Finds Most Older Women Have Insufficient Levels of the “Sunshine Vitamin”

Jun 25, 2012

Eleven Integrated Health Systems Form Largest Private-Sector Diabetes Registry in United States

Researchers Use Database of More Than One Million Diverse Diabetes Patients to Find Better Treatment & Prevention Strategies

Jun 07, 2012

Culturally Tailored Program Helps Mexican-American Women Lose Weight

Kaiser Permanente Study Pilots “De Por Vida” Program

Apr 30, 2012

Young Girls More Likely to Report Side Effects After HPV Vaccine

Kaiser Permanente Study Confirms that Side Effects are Non-Serious and Suggests Need for More Education

Apr 03, 2012

Primary Care Program Helps Teen Girls Manage Weight and Improve Body Image

Kaiser Permanente Study First to Show Long-Term Success of Program Designed for Teen Girls

Feb 13, 2012

Height Loss of Two Inches or More Increases Risk of Fractures and Death

Kaiser Permanente Study Suggests Significant Height Loss May Indicate More Serious Health Problems

Jan 10, 2012

Continuous Health Coverage Essential for Patients Managing Diabetes

When patients with diabetes experience interruptions in health- insurance coverage, they are less likely to receive the screening tests and vaccines they need to protect their health.

Jan 04, 2012

Increasing Levels of Good Cholesterol Can Reduce Heart Attack Risk in Diabetes Patients

Patients with diabetes may be able to reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke by increasing their level of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), also known as the “good” cholesterol.

Oct 27, 2011

Hip Fractures Increase Risk of Early Death for Elderly Women

Risk of death within one year after fracture doubles for women over 65—and increases five-fold for women 65–69

Sep 26, 2011

Siddhartha Mukherjee to deliver 2011 Saward Lecture

Please join us at Portland’s Newmark Theatre on Friday, October 21, for the 2011 Saward Lecture. This year, we are proud to welcome Siddhartha Mukherjee, MD, oncologist and author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer.

Sep 08, 2011

Gender and Race Affect How Americans View Their Own Health

Kaiser Permanente Study Suggests Significant Height Loss May Indicate More Serious Health Problems

Jun 20, 2011

Moderate Sleep and Less Stress May Help with Weight Loss

Kaiser Permanente study finds that people who slept 6–8 hours a night and reported lower stress levels lost more weight

Mar 29, 2011

Obese Women Less Likely to Complete Mammograms and More Likely to Report Pain with the Procedure

Study finds that barriers to breast cancer screening remain even among insured women

Feb 07, 2011