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.
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.
Mental Health
Researchers study a range of interventions in psychiatry and in primary care, as well as epidemiology of mental health conditions.
Substance Use
Researchers study epidemiology and interventions in primary care and specialty substance use treatment programs for adolescents and adults.
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.
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.
Scientists

Michael J. Silverberg, PhD, MPH
Associate Director

Andrew L. Avins, MD, MPH

Lisa F Barcellos, PhD, MPH

Cynthia I. Campbell, PhD, MPH

Dima L. Chaar, PhD, MHI

Hélène Choquet, PhD

Brianna Costales, PhD

Kathryn K. Erickson-Ridout, MD, PhD

Paola Gilsanz, ScD

Carlisha Hall, PhD, MSPH

Matthew E. Hirschtritt, MD, MPH

Esti M. Iturralde, PhD

Molly LaPoint, PhD

Jorge Ledesma, PhD, MPH

Verena E. Metz, PhD

Shannon Ogden, PhD, MPH

Alice Pressman, PhD, MS

Neil J. Risch, PhD

Derek D. Satre, PhD

Catherine A. Schaefer, PhD

Stacy A. Sterling, DrPH, MSW, MPH

Natalia Van Doren, PhD

Constance M. Weisner, DrPH, MSW

Rachel A. Whitmer, PhD

Kristine Yaffe, MD

Kelly Young-Wolff, PhD, MPH
Publications
Research published by Behavioral Health and Aging investigators.
Studies
Research projects by Behavioral Health and Aging investigators.