Behavioral Health and Aging

The Behavioral Health and Aging section works closely with Kaiser Permanente clinicians to identify issues of concern in practice in mental health and behavioral health, including addiction medicine. They use the unique data produced by a large integrated health care system to identify important factors of health risk as well as the most effective practices in treating mental and behavioral health problems.

People sitting in circle in group therapy

Center for Addiction and
Mental Health Research

The section is home to the Center for Addiction and Mental Health Research (CAMHR). CAMHR contributes to building the evidence base at the intersection of implementation science, health services research, cost-effectiveness, prevention, and clinical outcomes in the areas of addiction and mental and behavioral health.

Center for Addiction and Mental Health Research

Couple embracing each other on couch

Mental Health

Researchers study a range of interventions in psychiatry and in primary care, as well as epidemiology of mental health conditions.

Learn more

Substance Use

Researchers study epidemiology and interventions in primary care and specialty substance use treatment programs for adolescents and adults.

Learn more

Seniors at a table playing cards

Aging

Researchers in aging study the epidemiology of age-associated conditions including dementia, cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as predictors of longevity and successful aging. Ethnic disparities and early life predictors of aging outcomes, as well as aging successfully in the context of chronic diseases, is a particular focus.

Learn more

Grandfather with his grandson

Genetics

The Research Program on Genes, Environment, and Health is one of the largest research projects in the United States to examine the genetic and environmental factors that influence common diseases. This new knowledge has the potential to improve health and health care delivery by leading to new and improved diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Learn more

Scientists

Publications

Research published by Behavioral Health and Aging investigators.

Go to Publications

Studies

Research projects by Behavioral Health and Aging investigators.

Go to Studies

Related Stories

Image for Reaching teens about alcohol, drug use story

Reaching teens about alcohol, drug use

December 16, 2024

Kaiser Permanente researchers are leading an international effort to further a promising technique for reaching young people at risk of problem substance use.

Image for Depression, anxiety improve in patients enrolled in care personalized to their symptoms story

Depression, anxiety improve in patients enrolled in care personalized to their symptoms

September 6, 2024

A study comparing traditional psychiatric treatment of depression and anxiety with a team-based collaborative care approach found that patients in both models saw significant improvement of their symptoms, but the improvement was even stronger in the collaborative care approach.
Image for Pharmacists help people with serious mental illness overcome barriers to good health story

Pharmacists help people with serious mental illness overcome barriers to good health

January 29, 2024

Telehealth visits with a specially trained pharmacist resulted in better medication adherence and diabetes screening for people with serious mental illness who are enrolled in an innovative Kaiser Permanente Northern California program.
Image for Helping patients manage chronic pain may improve both mental, physical health story

Helping patients manage chronic pain may improve both mental, physical health

January 22, 2024

Teaching people with chronic pain how to manage their medical care and use non-medication alternatives for pain may improve overall health and reduce depression, according to new research from Kaiser Permanente.

All Spotlight stories >

Behavioral Health and Aging
Back To Top