Research Spotlight

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.

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.

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.

Teens in less-privileged neighborhoods more likely to report depression, suicidality

August 21, 2023

A Kaiser Permanente study of nearly 35,000 Northern California teens found higher rates of depression and suicidality among those living in less economically and racially privileged neighborhoods.

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.

Children’s pandemic screen time rose nearly 2 hours per day

February 15, 2023

Children increased their screen time by nearly 2 hours per day after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and an hour of that increase persisted even after some restrictions had eased, according to a new analysis in JAMA Network Open by Kaiser Permanente researchers.

Intervening with at-risk adolescents shows long-term benefits

September 27, 2022

A long-term Kaiser Permanente study following 1,851 adolescents who reported substance use or mood problems at a pediatric clinic found those who had access to a brief intervention and referral to treatment were less likely to have a related diagnosis 7 years later, in their 20s.

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.

Autistic people join autism project – as research partners

April 19, 2022

A group of Kaiser Permanente investigators is inviting their study subjects — autistic people — to participate as research partners, providing their own unique perspective on being autistic. Their initial focus is on gender, sexuality, and reproductive health in autism, but once trained, the advisers could help shape any future research project.

Online quiz can help parents assess if their teen has a substance use problem

February 1, 2022

An analysis by Kaiser Permanente researchers suggests there may be clues in a child’s medical history about their risk for a substance use problem. The investigators used that research and input from parents to develop a free online risk prediction tool that anyone can use.

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.

Teen suicidal thoughts and behaviors during pandemic vary by gender, diagnosis

September 1, 2021

The number of teens being seen at Kaiser Permanente Northern California emergency departments (ED) for suicidal thoughts and behaviors did not increase significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, though specific groups of teens may have sought care at higher rates during late 2020.

The findings were reported Sept. 1 in JAMA Psychiatry.

Teens who stop taking ADHD medication at adulthood more prone to health, social problems

June 1, 2021

Teens diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often don’t take their medication regularly, and new Kaiser Permanente research finds the problem gets worse when they hit adulthood. The study also related non-adherence to ADHD medication with some negative health and social outcomes.

Gender, sexuality in autism a largely unexplored area of research

April 27, 2021

The Autism Research Program at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research is pursuing a new project to identify gaps in knowledge about gender, sexuality, and reproductive health among autistic people. Our KP Research Radio podcast explores the issue.

Pediatrician screening of young people with substance use, mood problems can have long-term results

December 28, 2020

Adolescents who had access to a brief intervention and referral to treatment for substance use or mood problems at a pediatric clinic were less likely to have a related diagnosis 3 years later, new Kaiser Permanente research finds.

Pediatricians at Kaiser Permanente find advantages to video visits with children, families

November 2, 2020

Parents, children, and pediatricians with Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) have found advantages to home-based video medical visits, which have increased markedly since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic

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.

Teens, parents, physicians support screening young people for gender identity, study suggests

September 14, 2020

Teenagers who question their gender identity may not feel comfortable bringing up the issue with their doctors. New research suggests that adding gender identity questions to a pre-visit screening could make those conversations easier.

Emergency physicians can use clinical experience to accurately predict whether a child has appendicitis

April 2, 2020

A new study shows high success rates for experienced emergency physicians who use the sum of their clinical expertise to make an initial prediction about whether a child has appendicitis — especially in low-risk cases.

More families are seeking care for gender-questioning children and teens

October 15, 2019

Kaiser Permanente Northern California pediatric transgender clinic sees a sharp rise in referrals from families with children and teens with questions about their gender.

Teen bedtime and sleeping patterns can influence risk of obesity and poor cardiometabolic health

September 16, 2019

Adolescent sleep timing preferences and patterns should be considered risk factors for obesity and cardiometabolic health, according to a new study by researchers with the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research and Massachusetts General Hospital.

Waning potency of pertussis vaccine a significant contributor to recent whooping cough outbreaks

June 9, 2019

Children who were up to date on their pertussis vaccine schedule were far less likely to develop the disease than those unvaccinated. The risk of vaccinated children becoming ill increased with time since vaccination, suggesting waning effectiveness.

Intervention, referrals lead to reduced health care needs for adolescents with substance abuse disorders

April 23, 2019

A new study suggests that the benefits to adolescent teens of screenings, interventions, and referrals can last for many years and can include sustained reductions in mental health conditions.

Women with Pregnancy-related Nausea and Vomiting Use Marijuana More

August 20, 2018

New Kaiser Permanente study adds evidence to body of research suggesting pregnant women are using marijuana to self-medicate morning sickness.

Caring for Adults with Autism

April 27, 2018

April is Autism Awareness Month; a new body of Kaiser Permanente research highlights the needs of people with autism transitioning from pediatric to adult health care.

Children With Autism and Their Younger Siblings Less Likely to Be Fully Vaccinated

March 26, 2018

Children with autism and their younger siblings are significantly less likely to be fully vaccinated than the general population, according to new research published in JAMA Pediatrics.

Big Data Improves Care for Kaiser Permanente’s Smallest Members

June 9, 2014

Doctors in Kaiser Permanente’s neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) can use an innovative online calculator to determine whether preterm and...

Study Results Aid Understanding of Gestational Diabetes

October 10, 2013

A Division of Research study may lead toward less gestational diabetes. Interview by Lynn Mundell, editor, Inside KP Northern California...

Vaccine Study Center Research Yields Valuable Knowledge on Vaccines for Children and Adolescents

November 13, 2012

The Kaiser Permanente Vaccine Study Center (VSC), which conducts research to advance scientific understanding of vaccines at all levels of...

Autism registry is first Division project funded by new national mental health research network

April 28, 2011

A registry to advance research on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) will be the first Division of Research project supported by...

Newly funded: $10.5M grant kickstarts national network to speed mental health research

April 18, 2011

A three-year $10.5 million federal grant awarded in December to help speed up mental health research will rely heavily on...