Sue Rochman, Author at Kaiser Permanente Division of Research

Colorectal cancer screening program doubled screening rates and halved deaths

April 25, 2025

Kaiser Permanente study reports on impact of 13 years of annual outreach with at-home testing.

Clinical Trials Program hosts inaugural Academy of Clinical Trialists symposium

April 16, 2025

Kaiser Permanente and The Permanente Medical Group are expanding opportunities for physician involvement in clinical trials.

Melisa Wong receives Arti Hurria Memorial Award from American Geriatrics Society

April 9, 2025

Kaiser Permanente researcher and physician is being honored for her work as an emerging investigator in internal medicine focused on care of older adults.

Puberty in girls tied to adverse childhood experiences

April 4, 2025

Kaiser Permanente study finds a history of ACEs tied to earlier initiation of puberty in girls — but the same is not true for boys.

Blood pressure patterns during early pregnancy tied to hypertension diagnosis up to 14 years after delivery

April 2, 2025

Kaiser Permanente study shows blood pressure patterns reveal differences in risk in women with and without hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

5 Questions for . . . David Vinson

March 18, 2025

Kaiser Permanente physician and DOR adjunct investigator is a leader in emergency medicine research.

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Obesity risk higher in preteens born to moms who developed diabetes during pregnancy and fed natural fruit juice or sugary drinks as infants

March 12, 2025

Kaiser Permanente study provides evidence in support of recommendations to avoid feeding infants fruit juice and sugary beverages in their first year of life.

Heart disease and stroke risks vary among Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander adults

March 6, 2025

Kaiser Permanente research presented at the American Heart Association Epidemiology and Prevention meeting highlights the need to study Asian subgroups.

COVID-19 illness and vaccines pose no risk to blood donation supply

February 28, 2025

A unique Kaiser Permanente study confirms the safety of using blood donated from people who have been vaccinated against or who have had COVID-19.

Earlier identification of cachexia in advanced cancer possible

February 18, 2025

Kaiser Permanente study finds significant weight loss 3 months after diagnosis can predict future weight loss, creating earlier options for intervention.

California wildfires may increase risk of heart attacks, heart failure, and stroke

February 5, 2025

Kaiser Permanente study finds variations in impact of air pollution from 2018 Mendocino Complex and Camp fires on cardiovascular health.

Many adults may be unaware that they have liver disease

January 31, 2025

Kaiser Permanente study suggests less than 1% of adults with MASLD may know that they have the condition.

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Kaiser Permanente study evaluates joint impacts of chronic hypertension and hypertensive disorders developing during pregnancy on severe maternal adverse outcomes

January 28, 2025

Risk of serious adverse outcomes of pregnancy for women with chronic hypertension who did not develop preeclampsia was nearly the same as the risk for women without chronic hypertension or hypertensive disorders developing during pregnancy.

Podcast: Meeting the health and social needs of adults with multiple chronic conditions

January 9, 2025

Funding from PCORI and AHRQ will allow Richard Grant to conduct studies on the best ways to address social needs, fill care gaps, and improve health equity.

Telemedicine can provide timely pediatric primary care

November 22, 2024

Kaiser Permanente study finds telephone and video visits can be a good option, but they are not always a substitute for seeing a health care provider in person.

Kaiser Permanente has helped more than 300,000 people quit smoking in Northern California

November 20, 2024

A new study highlights the success of KPNC’s comprehensive, evidence-based tobacco screening and cessation program over the past decade.

Free contraception under ACA increased use, reduced pregnancy and abortion

October 31, 2024

New Kaiser Permanente study shows the impact of elimination of cost-sharing for contraception on women’s health.

Breast care coordinators help expand eligibility for cancer genetic testing

October 28, 2024

New Kaiser Permanente study highlights program that offers hereditary cancer testing to all newly diagnosed breast cancer patients ages 65 and under.

Younger adults benefit from updated colorectal cancer screening guidelines

October 21, 2024

The updated national colorectal cancer screening guidelines that recommend screening begin at age 45 — rather than 50 — can benefit younger adults, a new Kaiser Permanente study found.

No link seen between antibiotics and colorectal cancer in younger adults

October 3, 2024

Large Kaiser Permanente study suggests adult use of antibiotics is not tied to increase in colorectal cancer diagnoses seen in adults under 50.

Medically complex patients with social risks use more medical services

September 27, 2024

Kaiser Permanente study finds up to 30% higher odds of hospital admissions, emergency department use, and mental health visits for patients with social needs.

5 Questions for . . . Isaac Ergas

September 19, 2024

From programmer to PhD staff scientist, with a stop for film school, this Kaiser Permanente researcher has had an eclectic journey.

Podcast: Colorectal cancer in older adults

September 3, 2024

KP Research Radio takes a look at new study findings that can help older adults and their physicians determine when to stop colorectal cancer surveillance.

Acute kidney injury less common than believed in patients with exercise-induced muscle tissue breakdown

August 20, 2024

A new Kaiser Permanente study finds patients with high creatine kinase levels from strenuous exercise had higher risk of kidney injury if they used NSAIDs or were dehydrated.

Kaiser Permanente investigator will lead $4 million study to improve health of adults with multiple chronic conditions

August 13, 2024

Richard Grant will lead Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute-funded study that will compare methods of addressing social needs to fill care gaps and improve health equity.

New research agenda aims to improve care for patients with COPD and heart disease

August 13, 2024

Kaiser Permanente experts contribute to American Thoracic Society research statement that addresses need for clinical trials in real-world settings, patient-centered outcomes, and health disparities.

5 Questions for . . . Melisa Wong

August 5, 2024

For this physician and research scientist, a childhood loss led to a career focused on improving cancer care for older adults.

First National Enrichment Program held for early-stage investigators in diabetes translation and health equity research

July 18, 2024

Kaiser Permanente and Stanford co-hosted the first National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases-funded conference for Centers for Diabetes Translation Research investigators.

Electronic health records can identify patients in need of social support services

July 16, 2024

Kaiser Permanente researchers developed a predictive model to help identify adults with multiple health conditions in need of social support.

New clinical tool can help identify patients at high risk for liver cancer

July 11, 2024

Kaiser Permanente researchers have developed a liver cancer prediction model for patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease.

Eating raw cruciferous vegetables may improve outcomes for some bladder cancer patients

June 25, 2024

Kaiser Permanente study suggests a diet that includes vegetables like broccoli and arugula may reduce the risk of recurrence in patients treated with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin.

Antiviral medications that treat hepatitis C improve long-term outcomes

June 17, 2024

New Kaiser Permanente study identifies some patients cured of hepatitis C who may not require semi-annual surveillance for liver cancer.

Polygenic risk score may help predict breast cancer survival outcomes

May 31, 2024

Research being presented at ASCO conducted with Roswell Park Cancer Center used data from the Kaiser Permanente Pathways Study.

Some patients delay colonoscopy after positive fecal test

May 24, 2024

Kaiser Permanente study finds that 7.4% of patients who had a positive colorectal cancer screening test had a second test rather than a colonoscopy.

More testing may not benefit most patients with chest pain but no signs of a heart attack

May 23, 2024

New Kaiser Permanente research suggests less need for referrals for follow-up non-invasive cardiac testing.

Food insecurity linked to severe low blood sugar in older patients with diabetes

May 20, 2024

New Kaiser Permanente study highlights the need to ask patients about both economic and physical food insecurity.

Timing of puberty varies by up to 14 months among Asian youth

May 13, 2024

New Kaiser Permanente study — the first to analyze pubertal onset by Asian ethnicity — may help explain health disparities seen in Asian adults.

Long-term ultrasound testing may not be needed for older women with stable ovarian cysts

May 2, 2024

Low risk of ovarian cancer seen in new Kaiser Permanente study can provide reassurance to patients and physicians.

Emergency room physicians moving away from lumbar puncture for headache evaluation

April 19, 2024

A new Kaiser Permanente study shows a gradual shift over time has occurred in the way emergency department physicians evaluate and diagnose sudden, severe headaches.

Breast cancer survivors see cardiovascular benefit from heart-healthy diet

April 17, 2024

Women who had a heart-healthy diet at the time of their breast cancer diagnosis had a lower risk of going on to develop heart disease, new Kaiser Permanente research shows.

Emailed letters can encourage people who have had a heart attack to get the flu shot

April 11, 2024

People who have had a heart attack responded better to an emailed flu shot reminder that explained the heart health benefits of the vaccine than to letters touting other reasons to get vaccinated.

Patients with low muscle quantity and quality are at higher risk of surgery complications

April 10, 2024

Computed tomography (CT) scans required prior to surgery contain information about patient frailty that can be used to identify the patients at highest risk for surgical complications, new Kaiser Permanente research shows.

Patients newly diagnosed with heart failure may have wider range of treatment options

April 7, 2024

Kaiser Permanente research may help doctors best medication for patients newly diagnosed with heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction.

Genomic risk scores may help identify patients at higher risk for coronary heart disease

April 5, 2024

Kaiser Permanente study finds a polygenic risk score might help physicians identify patients at higher risk of developing coronary heart disease.

Modest amounts of alcohol tied to increased heart disease risk, especially in women

March 29, 2024

Kaiser Permanente study finds women who reported drinking 8 or more alcoholic beverages a week were more likely to develop coronary heart disease than those who drank less.

HER2-low breast tumors may be a distinct breast cancer subtype

March 22, 2024

New Kaiser Permanente study adds to the growing body of evidence that suggests tumors that produce low levels of the HER2 protein may have unique biological characteristics.

Racial and ethnic disparities seen in medications provided to patients with type 2 diabetes

March 19, 2024

Patients from certain racial and ethnic groups are less likely to receive the newer type 2 diabetes medications that keep blood sugar levels stable and reduce the risk of heart and kidney disease.

Prenatal detection rates for congenital heart disease can be achieved with fewer fetal echocardiograms

March 15, 2024

Kaiser Permanente study highlights success of its clinical pathway that refers only patients whose obstetrical screening ultrasound shows a fetal cardiac abnormality for a fetal echocardiogram.

National Cancer Institute selects Kaiser Permanente for new Cancer Screening Research Network

February 21, 2024

The National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, selected Kaiser Permanente Northern California as one of the institutions to launch a new national clinical trials network to evaluate emerging technologies for cancer screening.

Risk of developing diabetes in children with overweight or obesity differs from that of adults

January 17, 2024

New Kaiser Permanente study identifies the overweight and obese adolescents at greatest risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Amount of leisure time exercise tied to risk of cardiovascular disease

January 11, 2024

Counties that have a large number of adults who report not exercising in their free time had higher rates of death from cardiovascular disease, reported researchers from Kaiser Permanente and Massachusetts General Hospital.

Mammography and self exam best for detecting second breast cancer in women treated for DCIS

January 9, 2024

Kaiser Permanente study finds a clinical breast exam by a physician was the least likely method to find a second cancer in women who had previously been treated for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

Improving care for patients with advanced cancer

January 3, 2024

Specialized prompts integrated into patients’ electronic medical records can improve how medical oncologists discuss and document treatment goals for their advanced cancer patients, new Kaiser Permanente research shows.

Early-career researchers embrace unique opportunity to improve health care

December 11, 2023

The Division of Research is currently hosting one of its largest groups of postdoctoral research fellows.

5 Questions for . . . Ankeet Bhatt

December 6, 2023

Kaiser Permanente cardiologist and research scientist is now leading pioneering study of heart disease risk factors in Black and white men and women.

Kaiser Permanente researchers and physicians showcase findings at major cardiology meeting

November 20, 2023

Presentations at the Annual American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Philadelphia underscore the organization’s expertise and commitment to improving patient care.

Investigating racial disparities in cancer treatment response

November 17, 2023

Research Scientist Lori Sakoda, PhD, is working with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and University of Rochester to study racial and ethnic differences in treatment response to a type of immunotherapy.

Teenage girls with reproductive health condition are more likely to have high blood pressure

November 14, 2023

A Kaiser Permanente study presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions focused on girls with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Peer support program helps ease physician burnout

November 1, 2023

A new Kaiser Permanente physician peer support program helped improve doctors’ well-being and had a positive impact on the culture of the medical departments that took part in the program.

Reframing the conversation on weight and cancer survivorship

October 24, 2023

In this episode of KP Research Radio, DOR Research Scientists Bette Caan, DrPH, and Elizabeth Cespedes Feliciano, ScD, explain why it’s important to include body composition in cancer research.

National Academy of Medicine selects Elizabeth Cespedes Feliciano as Emerging Leader in Health and Medicine Scholar

October 3, 2023

Kaiser Permanente research scientist who studies modifiable risk factors for obesity and cancer-related metabolic diseases is one of 10 early- to mid-career professionals chosen for the class of 2023.

Improving outcomes for patients with aortic stenosis

September 5, 2023

New Kaiser Permanente research suggests fine-tuning assessments of patients with moderate aortic stenosis could help improve outcomes and better determine which patients might benefit from surgery.

Improving outcomes for patients with blood clots

August 18, 2023

Patients with blood clots who are on blood thinners for more than 6 months have a lower risk of developing a new blood clot if they are treated with direct oral anticoagulants rather than with warfarin.

Drinking alcohol not likely to increase risk of a breast cancer recurrence

August 9, 2023

A new Kaiser Permanente study may help oncologists answer a common question from breast cancer survivors: Is it safe for me to drink alcohol?

Blood test often incorrectly estimates blood sugar control in Black adults

August 7, 2023

Kaiser Permanente researchers find the commonly used A1C lab test could potentially affect diabetes diagnoses and lead to incorrect assessments of health disparities in diabetes control.

Blood thinners still often used to treat patients with small lung blood clots

August 2, 2023

Kaiser Permanente study finds few patients with small lung blood clots qualify for surveillance and few physicians recommend it, preferring to treat patients with blood thinners.

Acute kidney injury will not worsen subsequent chronic kidney disease

July 24, 2023

New research from the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort study, co-led by the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, found mild-to-moderate acute kidney injury does not predict worsening of kidney function.

Blood pressure patterns in the first half of pregnancy improve early prediction of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension

July 12, 2023

Routine blood pressure readings recorded in the first half of pregnancy can be divided into 6 distinct patterns that can effectively stratify patients by their risk of developing preeclampsia and gestational hypertension later in pregnancy.

Kaiser Permanente research included in national clinical oncology conference

July 7, 2023

Investigators from the Division of Research and physicians from The Permanente Medical Group presented research on topics ranging from care delivery to cancer survivorship at the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology conference.

Mammography AI may have a role in breast cancer risk prediction

June 6, 2023

Artificial intelligence algorithms used to read mammograms were a better predictor of a woman’s future breast cancer risk than a commonly used risk assessment tool.

Remote telemonitoring for patients with heart failure did not prevent hospitalizations

May 22, 2023

New Kaiser Permanente study highlights the need to closely evaluate outcomes associated with the implementation of new technologies.

Clinical trials expand options for patients with heart problems

May 18, 2023

Kaiser Permanente study teams enroll members in large, national cardiology clinical trials setting new standards for care.

Treating common stomach bacteria reduces risk of stomach cancer

May 2, 2023

Kaiser Permanente reports findings from the first large community-based study in the U.S. to assess the effect of H. pylori treatment on stomach cancer incidence.

5 Questions for . . . Dana Sax

April 27, 2023

Kaiser Permanente physician researcher conducts studies focused on ways to improve how care is provided in the emergency department.

Emergency physicians correctly identify patients with lung blood clots who should be hospitalized

April 6, 2023

Kaiser Permanente study finds doctors use factors beyond risk stratification tools to determine if a patient can safely be treated at home.

Better outcomes seen in people with severe aortic stenosis who have scheduled common valve procedure

April 5, 2023

New research from Kaiser Permanente finds patients who need an emergency transcatheter aortic valve replacement have greater risks.

A decade of cultivating the next generation of delivery science researchers

March 22, 2023

Co-founded in 2012 by Richard W. Grant, MD, MPH, and Julie Schmittdiel, PhD, and funded by The Permanente Medical Group, the fellowship offers training and mentorship to junior investigators interested in research aimed at improving health care delivery.

Atrial fibrillation may increase risk for dementia

March 8, 2023

Large Kaiser Permanente study finds a 13% greater risk of being diagnosed with dementia after a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, with stronger associations seen in younger, healthier people.

Neighborhood privilege tied to timing of girls’ puberty

March 8, 2023

New Kaiser Permanente study explores the ties between racial segregation and risk factors for early puberty in Black and Latinx girls.

Healthy lifestyle behaviors took a hit during shelter-in-place in people with prediabetes

March 6, 2023

Kaiser Permanente study found that during the pandemic’s shelter-in-place mandate it was harder for people with prediabetes to exercise and feel motivated to start or maintain healthy behaviors.

5 Questions for . . . Betty Suh-Burgmann

March 3, 2023

Kaiser Permanente physician researcher Betty Suh-Burgmann established a new standardized approach for assessing ovarian cancer risk that prevents patients from having unnecessary surgery.

Current air pollution standards are insufficient to reduce heart risks

February 24, 2023

Long-term exposure to air pollution is tied to an increased risk of having a heart attack or dying from heart disease — with the greatest harms impacting under-resourced communities, new Kaiser Permanente research shows.

Racial and ethnic differences seen in marker of early diabetic kidney disease

February 6, 2023

Among adults with diabetes who had kidney function perceived to be normal, a marker for early diabetic kidney disease was more commonly seen in Asian adults than in white, Black, or Latino adults, a new Kaiser Permanente study found.

Cancer diagnosis hastens aging in women

January 19, 2023

Kaiser Permanente study finds postmenopausal women with cancer report a greater decline in physical function than women who have not had cancer.

Smoking increases risk of bladder cancer recurrence

November 30, 2022

Kaiser Permanente “Be-Well” study finds long-term history of smoking cigarettes increases the risk of a cancer recurrence in people who have been treated for bladder cancer.

Blood clots in hospitalized patients tied to worse outcomes

November 21, 2022

A Kaiser Permanente study found the incidence of blood clots in hospitalized patients and those recently discharged has slowly been increasing over time.

Podcast: Improving lung cancer survival

November 16, 2022

In this episode of KP Research Radio, Lori Sakoda, PhD, a research scientist at the Division of Research, and Jeff Velotta, MD, a thoracic surgeon with The Permanente Medical Group, discuss early lung cancer detection, ways to promote equitable lung cancer care, and Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s regionalized lung cancer care program.

American Heart Association honors Kaiser Permanente researcher with award for best publication

November 10, 2022

Research scientist Erica Gunderson received the Dr. Nanette K. Wenger Research Goes Red® Award for Best Scientific Publication on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in Women.

5 Questions for . . . Luis A. Rodriguez

October 17, 2022

Newly minted Kaiser Permanente research scientist uses his clinical experience in pediatric diabetes prevention and obesity management to shape his research questions.

Largest-ever study of thoracic aortic aneurysm supports treatment guidelines

October 5, 2022

Kaiser Permanente Center for Thoracic Aortic Disease study provides high-quality evidence that most patients diagnosed with a thoracic aortic aneurysm are not likely to experience an aortic dissection.

Improving care for cancer patients

October 3, 2022

Two new papers detail how Kaiser Permanente oncology care teams restructured processes to enhance care for patients with breast and lung cancer.

National quality measurements may not accurately reflect a hospital’s surgical risks

September 13, 2022

A new Kaiser Permanente study finds the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project report falls short on estimates of a patient’s risk of developing heart problems after surgery.

Home-delivered, medically tailored meals may benefit recently hospitalized patients with heart failure

August 25, 2022

A new Kaiser Permanente study finds promise in ‘food as medicine’ delivery for some — but not all — patients with chronic conditions.

Childhood weight tied to timing of puberty

August 23, 2022

New Kaiser Permanente study is the largest and most racially and ethnically diverse to date to show an association between early obesity and puberty onset in boys and girls.

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

August 11, 2022

Kaiser Permanente research scientist and TPMG physician leads award-winning colorectal cancer screening program.

Higher street-level traffic-related air pollution linked to increased emergency room costs

August 9, 2022

Kaiser Permanente study conducted with scientists from the Environmental Defense Fund finds higher total health care costs for people with heart disease.

Not all adults newly diagnosed with diabetes equally likely to start treatment

August 4, 2022

Kaiser Permanente study found adults of certain racial and ethnic groups are less likely to start medication within the first year of diagnosis.

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.

5 Questions for . . . Carlos Iribarren

July 11, 2022

Kaiser Permanente research scientist’s wide-ranging interests have built an expansive epidemiology career.

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.

Cancer biopsy during colonoscopy doesn’t start new tumors

May 26, 2022

Kaiser Permanente clinical research finds patients who have a site biopsied after a suspected cancer is biopsied are not more likely to develop a second cancer.

Low stroke risk in patients with very narrowed neck arteries causing no symptoms

May 24, 2022

Kaiser Permanente study suggests medical management alone may reduce stroke risk in patients with severe asymptomatic carotid stenosis.

Lifestyle coaching helps Black adults control high blood pressure

May 18, 2022

A new Kaiser Permanente study found that a culturally tailored program could lead to long-term benefits in adults with hypertension.

New radiology reporting system decreased time to pancreatic cancer diagnoses

April 27, 2022

A new Kaiser Permanente study shows that having radiologists use standardized terms and hashtags to describe what they see creates a clearer path for physician follow-up that can lead to earlier detection of pancreatic cancer.

Heart bypass surgery may be best treatment after heart attack for some older adults

April 21, 2022

A new Kaiser Permanente study suggests that for many seniors bypass surgery may lead to better long-term outcomes than stenting.

Heart attacks increased in days after 2020 election

April 20, 2022

New Kaiser Permanente study conducted in Northern and Southern California finds more hospitalizations for cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and heart failure in the 5 days following the election.

Breast cancer treatment linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease

April 6, 2022

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.

Gene tied to breast cancer treatment outcomes identified

March 24, 2022

Study led by Kaiser Permanente research scientist Lawrence H. Kushi, ScD, will help advance precision cancer care.

Heart disease and stroke deaths up during first year of COVID-19 pandemic

March 23, 2022

Kaiser Permanente study finds reversal of prior national trends and widening racial disparities for Black, Latino, and Asian adults.

Neighborhood green space tied to lower health care costs

March 18, 2022

New Kaiser Permanente research finds health care system costs were lower for people who live in greener areas.

Exercise and diet key in new, updated guideline for cancer survivors

March 16, 2022

Kaiser Permanente research scientists Lawrence H. Kushi, ScD, and Bette Caan, DrPH, contribute to new American Cancer Society survivorship guideline.

Mammography can offer clues to a woman’s heart health

March 15, 2022

Kaiser Permanente research ties the presence of breast arterial calcification seen on screening mammography to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Podcast: Telemedicine can improve cancer care

March 9, 2022

KP Research Radio explores how oncologists used phone and video appointments to expand care options for cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Colorectal cancer screening program erases disparities in outcomes

February 23, 2022

Regional program eliminated disparities in colorectal cancer death rates between Black and white members in Kaiser Permanente Northern California.

5 Questions for . . . Laura Myers

February 14, 2022

Kaiser Permanente research scientist and physician is helping to change the way pulmonary and critical care are provided.

Blood pressure patterns in early pregnancy tied to later risk of pregnancy-related hypertension complications

February 9, 2022

Kaiser Permanente research suggests blood pressure patterns seen during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy may offer critical clues to identify the patients most likely to develop high blood pressure complications later in their pregnancies.

Racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 infections are not explained by social risk factors

February 2, 2022

New Kaiser Permanente study suggests working and living conditions may be key contributors to disproportionate impact of COVID-19 in communities of color.

Benefit of dialysis unclear for older people with chronic kidney disease and heart failure

January 31, 2022

Kaiser Permanente study highlights the need for more research on the best patient-centered care for people managing both conditions.

Breast cancer survivors at increased risk for high blood pressure and diabetes

January 13, 2022

New large Kaiser Permanente study led by Marilyn L. Kwan, PhD, finds higher rate of cardiometabolic abnormalities in breast cancer survivors than in women who have not had breast cancer.

Method found to remove race from controversial kidney function equations without losing accuracy

December 27, 2021

New England Journal of Medicine selects study led by research scientist Alan Go, MD, as 1 of its 14 Notable Articles of 2021 due to its potential to change medical practice and improve patient care.

AI points to ways to improve doctor-patient communication

December 17, 2021

New study from Kaiser Permanente and UCSF aims to help doctors provide better care for patients with low health literacy.

People with HIV are at increased risk for heart failure

December 13, 2021

The Kaiser Permanente study found the risk difference was more pronounced in women, Asians and Pacific Islanders, and people under 40.

Potential method to help assess prognosis for metastatic colorectal cancer discovered

November 29, 2021

Kaiser Permanente study led by Minggui Pan, MD, PhD, and Laurel Habel, PhD, suggests ties among mutation type, tumor location, and survival.

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Spinal fractures in breast cancer survivors often tied to bone metastases

November 23, 2021

Kaiser Permanente study by Joan Lo, MD, and Marilyn Kwan, PhD, suggests studies that follow breast cancer survivors over time should differentiate between fracture types.

Hospitalizations for worsening heart failure are likely higher than current statistics suggest

November 22, 2021

Kaiser Permanente study led by research scientists Andrew Ambrosy, MD, and Alan Go, MD, used artificial intelligence to scan the electronic medical records of patients with a history of heart failure.

Smoking doubles the risk of premature heart disease

November 17, 2021

Alongside the Great American Smokeout, Kaiser Permanente research supports efforts to promote smoking cessation.

Shining a light on early-onset type 2 diabetes

November 3, 2021

To mark National Diabetes Month, KP Research Radio spoke with research scientist Anjali Gopalan, MD, MS, about the unique needs of young people with diabetes or prediabetes.

5 Questions for . . . Mai Nguyen-Huynh

October 25, 2021

Kaiser Permanente neurologist and research scientist is dedicated to increasing awareness about stroke on World Stroke Day — Oct. 29 — and all year round.

Kaiser Permanente researcher will co-lead $32.7 million colorectal cancer screening study

October 1, 2021

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute-funded study will be co-led by research scientist and gastroenterologist Theodore R. Levin, MD, and focus on older adults with low-risk polyps.

Researchers conduct largest-ever study of abdominal aortic aneurysms

September 20, 2021

Physician researcher Robert Chang, MD, used a Kaiser Permanente Northern California patient registry to determine a patient’s risk of having a large abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture.

Raising awareness about early puberty

September 9, 2021

KP Research Radio talks to Ai Kubo, PhD, MPH, about her research into why girls are starting puberty earlier than they have in the past, risks associated with early puberty — and potential interventions.

Head and neck cancer patients benefit from patient-reported outcome surveys

August 18, 2021

Kaiser Permanente study shows survey tools routinely used in clinical trials can be successfully integrated into electronic medical records.

For stomach cancer patients, a regionalized cancer care program can improve survival

August 2, 2021

New study describes how patients and physicians benefitted when Kaiser Permanente Northern California established a virtual, multidisciplinary gastric cancer team.

Risk of blood clots more than 3-fold higher in hospitalized adults with COVID-19

July 20, 2021

Kaiser Permanente study found Black patients as well as patients who had obesity, liver disease, or sepsis or other signs of infection were among those more likely to be at high risk for a blood clot.

‘COVID toes’ were likely not caused by COVID-19, in most cases

June 23, 2021

Kaiser Permanente study suggests the increased incidence of chilblains — or, COVID toes — seen during pandemic was related to behavior changes, not the coronavirus.

Kaiser Permanente researchers and physicians take part in leading clinical oncology conference

June 22, 2021

Research presented at the American Society for Clinical Oncology annual meeting amplified the ways the Division of Research and The Permanente Medical Group advance cancer care.

Uncommon kidney disorder significantly increases risk of heart disease and end-stage kidney disease

June 18, 2021

Kaiser Permanente study findings highlight the need for patients with primary nephrotic syndrome to be identified as early as possible to prevent complications.

Continuous glucose monitors help patients manage type 2 diabetes

June 2, 2021

New Kaiser Permanente study finds continuous glucose monitors are associated with improved blood sugar control and fewer visits to the emergency room for hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes patients treated with insulin.

Emergency care for heart attacks and strokes rebounds

June 2, 2021

Kaiser Permanente study finds declines in heart attack hospitalizations and emergency care for possible strokes reported during onset of the COVID-19 pandemic not seen in subsequent surges.

5 Questions for . . . Elizabeth Cespedes Feliciano

May 25, 2021

Kaiser Permanente research scientist uses her expertise in epidemiology and nutrition to improve outcomes for cancer patients and enhance their survivorship.

Most stroke patients with severe symptoms could seemingly be treated at a primary stroke center

May 3, 2021

Even if emergency personnel were able to use the best stroke assessment tool available, most patients taken directly by ambulance to a comprehensive stroke center could have been treated at a primary stroke center instead, a new Kaiser Permanente study suggests.

Artificial intelligence can help improve care for people with heart disease

April 15, 2021

Kaiser Permanente study shows computerized interpretation of doctors’ echocardiogram reports can identify patients with aortic stenosis.

Sarcoma patients benefit when expert team develops treatment plan

April 14, 2021

Kaiser Permanente study by adjunct investigator and oncologist/hematologist Minggui Pan, MD, PhD, quantifies impact of a virtual tumor board for rare type of cancer.

Pandemic increased mail order pharmacy use by people with diabetes, but racial disparities persist

April 13, 2021

Kaiser Permanente study finds less use among Black, Hispanic, and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander patients compared to white and Asian patients.

Douglas Corley elected to prestigious Association of American Physicians

April 8, 2021

The Association of American Physicians announced it has inducted Kaiser Permanente research scientist and gastroenterologist Douglas Corley, MD, PhD, MPH, into its honorary medical society.

Blood clot risk low in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients

April 5, 2021

COVID-19 patients who are not hospitalized are at low risk of developing blood clots and should not routinely be prescribed blood thinners, a new Kaiser Permanente research letter suggests.

New tool helps emergency medicine physicians provide more personalized care to patients with chest pain

March 31, 2021

Kaiser Permanente researchers have developed a more precise way to assess a patient’s risk of a heart attack, stroke, or other major heart-related problem within the next 60 days.

Stroke rate four times higher in Black young and middle-aged adults, compared to whites

March 29, 2021

Kaiser Permanente research shows the need for increased education about the dangers of high blood pressure.

Reducing deaths from colorectal cancer

March 26, 2021

KP Research Radio speaks with research scientist and gastroenterologist Jeffrey K. Lee, MD, MAS, about the studies that led to Kaiser Permanente’s successful screening program.

$5.6 million awarded to Kaiser Permanente researcher to study treatments for type 2 diabetes

March 18, 2021

A research team led by Romain S. Neugebauer, PhD, received the award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to compare costs, and benefits and harms of second-line medications.

American Indian, Alaska Native women less likely to start and complete hormone therapy for breast cancer

February 23, 2021

Kaiser Permanente study, believed to be the first to look at hormone therapy initiation and adherence in this population, suggests lower rates of use may be contributing to higher breast cancer death rates.

Improving care for people with heart failure

February 18, 2021

KP Research Radio spoke with cardiovascular research scientists Alan Go, MD, and Andrew Ambrosy, MD, about research aimed at improving care for people with heart failure.

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Physical activity tied to reduced fracture risk in breast cancer patients on hormone therapy

February 12, 2021

Kaiser Permanente study finds regular moderate-to-vigorous exercise in the months following a breast cancer diagnosis has bone benefits.

Gestational diabetes can be tip-off to future increased risk for heart disease

February 1, 2021

Kaiser Permanente research shows 2-fold higher risk for heart artery calcification after pregnancy through mid-life, even in women with normal blood sugar levels.

Heart failure hospitalizations and deaths vary by race and ethnicity

January 25, 2021

Black patients with heart failure have higher rates of hospitalization for heart failure but lower rates of death than white patients with heart failure, a new Kaiser Permanente study shows.

5 Questions for . . . Anjali Gopalan

January 11, 2021

Research scientist uses her experiences as a physician to design studies that focus on and can improve care for people with early-onset type 2 diabetes.

Long-term exposure to air pollution increases risk of dying from heart disease and stroke

January 4, 2021

New study is first to quantify and compare the effects of long-term exposure to small particle pollution on risk for different types of cardiovascular disease.

Gaining insight into medically complex patients

December 11, 2020

New Kaiser Permanente study aims to help providers improve the health of patients most likely to sustain high medical costs, frequently use the emergency department, or need to be hospitalized.

New class of early career researchers set to improve health care delivery

November 23, 2020

Four research fellows recently joined the Division of Research postdoc program, embarking on a unique pathway for career development.

Easy-to-implement intervention reduced prostate cancer screening in men 70 and over

November 5, 2020

Kaiser Permanente research found a computerized alert that notifies health care providers when a prostate cancer screening test is not recommended improved adherence to PSA screening guidelines.

Standardized reporting of chest CT scans improves odds of early lung cancer diagnosis

November 4, 2020

Kaiser Permanente study finds new classification and automated referral system benefits patients.

Girls who do not live with both parents more likely to start puberty early

October 28, 2020

New study by research scientist Ai Kubo, MPH, PhD, adds to the evidence suggesting a link between early life family structure and onset of puberty.

Home recovery after surgery is now a mainstay for mastectomy patients

October 26, 2020

In this new episode of KP Research Radio, we talk with Brooke Vuong, MD, a breast cancer surgeon at the Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center, about her research on the Surgical Home Recovery Program and the impact the program has had on her patients.

Targeted outreach can increase use of mail order pharmacies by people with diabetes

October 1, 2020

New Kaiser Permanente study found a targeted outreach campaign to people with type 2 diabetes encouraged them to use mail order pharmacy services and improved their medication adherence.

Housing instability linked with poor diabetes control

September 25, 2020

Kaiser Permanente study presented at international conference suggests moving once a year or more makes it harder for people with type 2 diabetes to adhere to their medications.

Telehealth appointments improve follow-up care in patients with heart failure

September 24, 2020

Kaiser Permanente study is the first to compare early telehealth approach to early in-person follow-up to prevent hospital readmissions.

New study aims to help older adults with type 2 diabetes cut back on medications

September 21, 2020

Richard Grant, MD, MPH, a research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, has received a $3.2 million, 5-year National Institutes of Health Institute on Aging grant to develop an online education program that uses advance care planning concepts to improve diabetes care for adults age 75 and older.

Helping patients make informed decisions about prostate cancer screening

September 17, 2020

Listen to our new KP Research Radio episode and learn more about the risks and benefits of the PSA test to screen for prostate cancer.

5 Questions for . . . Esti Iturralde

September 1, 2020

Clinical psychologist and mental health services researcher Esti Iturralde, PhD, aims to improve the overall health of people with mental illness.

Emergency rooms see decrease in stroke patients after onset of COVID-19

August 11, 2020

The new Kaiser Permanente study findings support previous research that suggests fear of contracting the novel coronavirus in a medical setting may have kept people from receiving critically needed medical care.

5 Questions for . . . Marvin Langston

July 28, 2020

Early career researcher Marvin Langston, PhD, MPH, studies potential links between infections, inflammation, and cancer as well as racial/ethnic and sexual minority health disparities.

Fewer endometrial cancer diagnoses made during COVID-19 pandemic

July 23, 2020

The number of patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer in Kaiser Permanente Northern California during the first 12 weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic was more than one-third lower than what would be expected, a new Kaiser Permanente study found.

Early colorectal cancer screening benefits African Americans

July 20, 2020

Kaiser Permanente researchers showed starting annual colorectal cancer screening at age 45 in African Americans can find colorectal cancers at a rate similar to that seen when screening starts after age 50 — the age most guidelines currently recommend.

Kaiser Permanente researchers develop new prostate cancer risk calculator

July 13, 2020

A new prostate cancer risk calculator developed by Kaiser Permanente Northern California researchers may help men going through prostate cancer screening decide whether to have a prostate biopsy.

5 Questions for . . . Stephen Van Den Eeden

June 24, 2020

Research scientist Stephen Van Den Eeden, PhD, is a co-founder of the California Men’s Health Study, one of the largest and longest-running cohort studies of men in the world.

Breast tissue inflammation and breast cancer: What’s the connection?

June 9, 2020

Kaiser Permanente researcher receives $4.5 million from the National Cancer Institute to study link between inflammation in the breast’s fatty tissue and breast cancer outcomes.

Blood test to identify risk for diabetes after pregnancy in women with gestational diabetes now one step closer

May 20, 2020

New findings from Kaiser Permanente Division of Research SWIFT Study in PLOS Medicine advance a potential blood test to predict which women with gestational diabetes will go on to develop type 2 diabetes.

Large decrease in hospitalized heart attack patients seen during COVID-19 pandemic

May 19, 2020

New research by Kaiser Permanente shows the weekly number of patients admitted to Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals with acute myocardial infarction (heart attacks) fell to nearly half of what would be expected after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 pandemic brings telehealth center stage for oncologists and their patients

May 4, 2020

A new Kaiser Permanente research paper explains how Kaiser Permanente Northern California quickly ramped up its existing telehealth oncology program at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.