Research Spotlight

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Disparities

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

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.
Blood test often incorrectly estimates blood sugar control in Black adults

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

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.
Working at a mentally challenging job linked to lower chance of later cognitive decline

Working at a mentally challenging job linked to lower chance of later cognitive decline

April 14, 2023

A new study from Kaiser Permanente Division of Research investigators suggests one factor in late-life cognitive decline may be how intellectually challenging a person’s job is.
Neighborhood privilege tied to timing of girls’ puberty

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.
Current air pollution standards are insufficient to reduce heart risks

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.
State-level educational quality linked to risk of dementia

State-level educational quality linked to risk of dementia

February 13, 2023

People attending schools in states with higher state-level educational quality are less likely to develop dementia in late life, according to a new Kaiser Permanente analysis published in JAMA Neurology.
Racial and ethnic differences seen in marker of early diabetic kidney disease

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.
5 Questions for…Luis A. Rodriguez

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.
Childhood weight tied to timing of puberty

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

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

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

June 17, 2022

Elderly Black and Latino people were more likely to get a COVID-19 vaccination after they received an email or letter from their Kaiser Permanente doctor, new research finds.
Lifestyle coaching helps Black adults control high blood pressure

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.
Pandemic stressors taking a toll on pregnant patients’ mental health

Pandemic stressors taking a toll on pregnant patients’ mental health

May 4, 2022

Pregnant patients surveyed by Kaiser Permanente researchers early in the COVID-19 pandemic reported more severe mental health symptoms when they were distressed about changes in prenatal care, childcare challenges, and food insecurity. A second study found disparities in how Black and Hispanic pregnant individuals experienced pandemic stressors compared with white patients.
Medical assistants help close virtual visit digital divide

Medical assistants help close virtual visit digital divide

April 11, 2022

Patients participating in video visits with their primary care doctors in fall 2020 benefited from having a medical assistant help connect the call, particularly if they needed language interpretation or lived in a low-socioeconomic-status neighborhood, according to new Kaiser Permanente research.
Heart disease and stroke deaths up during first year of COVID-19 pandemic

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.
Colorectal cancer screening program erases disparities in outcomes

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

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

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.
People with HIV are at increased risk for heart failure

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.
Patients who need language interpretation less likely to initially choose a video visit

Patients who need language interpretation less likely to initially choose a video visit

November 4, 2021

Patients with limited English proficiency who need a language interpreter for a telemedicine visit were less likely to choose a video visit for their first time than patients who did not need an interpreter, Kaiser Permanente research found.
Shining a light on early-onset type 2 diabetes

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.
Raising awareness about early puberty

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.
HIV prevention treatment shows gaps among key populations

HIV prevention treatment shows gaps among key populations

August 26, 2021

A large, detailed look by Kaiser Permanente researchers at patients taking HIV-prevention drug therapy finds strong adherence soon after patients get the prescription, but less consistent use thereafter, particularly among groups considered high priority for receiving the medication.
Gender, sexuality in autism a largely unexplored area of research

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

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

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

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.
Analysis confirms racial disparities in COVID-19 infection

Analysis confirms racial disparities in COVID-19 infection

February 8, 2021

An analysis of Kaiser Permanente members in Northern California early in the COVID-19 pandemic found racial and ethnic disparities in the likelihood of testing positive for the coronavirus, but no significant disparities in mortality among those who were hospitalized.
Heart failure hospitalizations and deaths vary by race and ethnicity

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

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

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.
Unique genetic factors and ancestry, along with lifestyle, influence skin cancer risk

Unique genetic factors and ancestry, along with lifestyle, influence skin cancer risk

December 14, 2020

People can look to the Northern European side of their genetic heritage for increased risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer, according to the first large analysis of genetic risk factors for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in diverse populations with European ancestry from Kaiser Permanente researchers.
Girls who do not live with both parents more likely to start puberty early

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.
Housing instability linked with poor diabetes control

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.
Helping patients make informed decisions about prostate cancer screening

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.
Early colorectal cancer screening benefits African Americans

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.
5 Questions for… Paola Gilsanz

5 Questions for… Paola Gilsanz

April 22, 2020

Kaiser Permanente Division of Research staff scientist Paola Gilsanz, ScD, is exploring the reasons for the unequal distribution of dementia risk among genders and ethnic groups.
Kaiser Permanente reduces racial disparities in who gets minimally invasive hysterectomies

Kaiser Permanente reduces racial disparities in who gets minimally invasive hysterectomies

December 6, 2019

Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California hospitals significantly increased minimally invasive surgery for hysterectomy and found the change also reduced racial disparities in the types of hysterectomies patients get.
Chronic disease prevalence varies by Asian subgroup, Kaiser Permanente research finds

Chronic disease prevalence varies by Asian subgroup, Kaiser Permanente research finds

November 25, 2019

Asian-Americans from different parts of Asia have very different cardiovascular risk factors and chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, Kaiser Permanente research concludes.
Adult ADHD diagnoses rise sharply over a decade

Adult ADHD diagnoses rise sharply over a decade

November 1, 2019

The rate at which adults were diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder doubled over ten years, increasing much faster than the diagnosis rate for children.
5 Questions for… Alyce Adams

5 Questions for… Alyce Adams

June 20, 2018

Alyce Adams, PhD, tackles 5 questions about the barriers to health care among vulnerable patient populations and her motivation towards finding solutions.
Eight Weeks or Twelve? Kaiser Permanente Study Shows Shorter Hepatitis C Regimen Effective in Black Patients

Eight Weeks or Twelve? Kaiser Permanente Study Shows Shorter Hepatitis C Regimen Effective in Black Patients

March 15, 2018

A new study shows that a treatment regimen of 8 weeks for hepatitis C may be just as effective as 12 weeks in black patients. The study also showed that more people overall can take advantage of the shorter treatment durations, which has important implications for access given the medication’s high cost.

Urban American-Indian and Alaskan Natives May Have Lower Survival Following Invasive Prostate and Breast Cancer

Urban American-Indian and Alaskan Natives May Have Lower Survival Following Invasive Prostate and Breast Cancer

December 1, 2017

Compared with the non-Hispanic white (NHW) population, the urban American-Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) community was more likely to have lower survival rates following invasive prostate and breast cancer, according to results published by Kaiser Permanente researchers and colleagues in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Asso​ciation for Cancer Research.

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