Kelly Young-Wolff, PhD, MPH

People

Kaiser Permanente Division of Research
2000 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94612

(510) 891-3570 (phone)
kelly.c.young-wolff@kp.org
Kaiser Permanente Researcher Profiles

Kelly C. Young-Wolff, PhD, MPH, is a licensed clinical psychologist and research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research. She is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Young-Wolff received her BA in psychology and anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley, and her MPH and doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Southern California. She completed her NIDA-funded predoctoral fellowship at Yale University in the Department of Psychiatry and her NHLBI-funded postdoctoral fellowship at the Stanford Prevention Research Center in the Stanford School of Medicine. Dr. Young-Wolff’s research interests include investigating how stress and trauma, genetic factors, and health-related policies shape disparities in the onset and course of drug and alcohol abuse, tobacco use, and psychiatric disorders. She is also interested in conducting research to inform the development of effective behavioral interventions for complex patients with multiple, co-occurring psychiatric and addictive disorders.

Current Position(s):

Research Scientist II, Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

Section Affiliations:

Behavioral Health and Aging

Primary Research Interests:

Disparities in the onset and course of drug and alcohol abuse, tobacco use, and psychiatric disorders
Behavioral interventions for individuals with multiple, co-occurring psychiatric and addictive disorders

Studies

Maternal Marijuana Use During Pregnancy, Marijuana Legalization, and Adverse Obstetrical and Neonatal Outcomes: A 12-year Cohort Study (COVID-19 Revision)

As of March 26, 2020, there have been more than 80,000 cases and 1,000 deaths in the US due to COVID-19. Because it attacks the lungs, COVID-19 could be an especially serious threat to those who smoke or vape tobacco or cannabis. This study will use data from the Kaiser Permanente Northern California universal prenatal substance use screening program to examine whether women who use substances before or during pregnancy are at increased risk for COVID-19 onset and progression. We will also look at whether prenatal substance use rates rise during the pandemic overall or within certain subgroups, such as women with depression, anxiety, or low socioeconomic status.

Investigator: Young-Wolff, Kelly; Avalos, Lyndsay
Funder: National Institute on Drug Abuse

Smoking as a Risk Factor for COVID-19 Onset and Severity

This pilot study will use data from Kaiser Permanente Northern California electronic health records to examine whether current and former smokers are at elevated risk for COVID-19 infection and disease severity relative to never smokers. We will also look at whether any associations between smoking status and COVID-19 onset or severity are moderated by smoking-related chronic conditions or socio-demographic factors.

Investigator: Young-Wolff, Kelly
Funder: Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program

Maternal Marijuana Use During Pregnancy, Marijuana Legalization, and Adverse Obstetrical and Neonatal Outcomes: A 12-year Cohort Study

The goal of this application is to examine the association between maternal marijuana use during pregnancy and adverse obstetrical and neonatal outcomes. We aim to: 1) Examine trends in prenatal marijuana use following the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes in California; 2) Assess whether maternal marijuana use during pregnancy is associated with the risk of adverse maternal health and pregnancy outcomes; and 3) Assess whether maternal marijuana use during pregnancy is associated with the risk of adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes.
Investigator: Avalos, Lyndsay; Young-Wolff, Kelly
Funder: National Institute on Drug Abuse

Identifying Risk Factors for Prenatal Substance and Polysubstance Use

The overarching goal of this K01 study is to identify recent trends in prenatal substance use and develop data-driven, evidence-based, generalizable predictive models to identify women at greatest risk for continued substance use in pregnancy. Specifically, we aim to: 1) Comprehensively establish trends in prenatal substance and polysubstance use (2009-2017); 2) Develop predictive statistical models of clinical and demographic characteristics to identify women at greatest risk for continuing to use substances during pregnancy; and 3) Conduct qualitative interviews with women who quit vs. persisted in substance use during pregnancy.
Investigator: Young-Wolff, Kelly
Funder: National Institute on Drug Abuse

Feasibility of Screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) in a Prenatal Population

This study examines the feasibility and acceptability of adopting ACEs screening in two Kaiser Permanente Northern California women’s health clinics. Results of this patient- and clinician-focused study will inform the viability of implementing ACEs screening as part of usual prenatal care and can be used to develop improved screening protocols.
Investigator: Young-Wolff, Kelly
Funder: Northern California Community Benefit Programs

Impact of Health Reform on Smoking and Treatment Utilization

The overall objective of this study is to examine how the implementation of landmark health care legislation has impacted the population of smokers in a private health care delivery system, their treatment utilization, and their smoking cessation outcomes over time. New insured smokers through Medicaid expansion and CA exchanges are likely to be a vulnerable group, with a higher prevalence of comorbidities, and unique barriers to utilization of tobacco treatment. The study is designed to test whether newly insured patients have a higher percentage of comorbidities and differential use of tobacco cessation counseling. Further, the study will test whether variation in benefit plan and coverage among post-ACA new member smokers differentially impacts tobacco cessation counseling utilization and smoking cessation outcomes longitudinally.
Investigator: Young-Wolff, Kelly
Funder: Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program

Implementation and Effectiveness of a Perioperative Smoking Cessation Program

This study assesses the implementation and effectiveness of a perioperative smoking cessation intervention integrated into usual care for patients who smoke who are scheduled for elective surgery. Results will inform the feasibility of a real-world intervention in day-to-day practice that could be easily implemented in most perioperative settings.
Investigator: Young-Wolff, Kelly
Funder: Northern California Community Benefit Programs

Highlighted Publications

Association of the Affordable Care Act With Smoking and Tobacco Treatment Utilization Among Adults Newly Enrolled in Health Care

Author(s): Young-Wolff KC; Klebaner D; Campbell CI; Weisner C; Satre DD; Adams AS

Med Care. 2017 Mar 10.

Current Position(s):

Section Affiliations:

Primary Research Interests:

Studies

Maternal Marijuana Use During Pregnancy, Marijuana Legalization, and Adverse Obstetrical and Neonatal Outcomes: A 12-year Cohort Study (COVID-19 Revision)

Smoking as a Risk Factor for COVID-19 Onset and Severity

Maternal Marijuana Use During Pregnancy, Marijuana Legalization, and Adverse Obstetrical and Neonatal Outcomes: A 12-year Cohort Study

Identifying Risk Factors for Prenatal Substance and Polysubstance Use

Feasibility of Screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) in a Prenatal Population

Impact of Health Reform on Smoking and Treatment Utilization

Implementation and Effectiveness of a Perioperative Smoking Cessation Program

Highlighted Publications

Association of the Affordable Care Act With Smoking and Tobacco Treatment Utilization Among Adults Newly Enrolled in Health Care

Smoking Status and Opioid Related Problems and Concerns among Men and Women on Chronic Opioid Therapy

Transforming the Health Care Response to Intimate Partner Violence: Addressing "Wicked Problems"

Smoking Trends Among Adults With Behavioral Health Conditions in Integrated Health Care: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Publications

Correlates of Pregnant Women's Participation in a Substance Use Assessment and Counseling Intervention Integrated into Prenatal Care

Association of Depression, Anxiety, and Trauma With Cannabis Use During Pregnancy

Women's Questions About Perinatal Cannabis Use and Health Care Providers' Responses

Online patient-provider cannabis consultations

Management of Cannabis Use in Breastfeeding Women: The Untapped Potential of Certified Lactation Consultants

Comorbid Diabetes and Severe Mental Illness: Outcomes in an Integrated Health Care Delivery System

Validity of Self-reported Cannabis Use Among Pregnant Females in Northern California

Routes of cannabis administration among females in the year before and during pregnancy: Results from a pilot project

Intimate Partner Violence and Psychological Distress: Opportunities for Prevention and Early Intervention Among Emerging Adult Women

Self-reported Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Cannabis Use Among Women Before and During Pregnancy

Tobacco-related counseling and documentation in adolescent primary care practice: Challenges and opportunities

Implementing a Multifaceted Perioperative Smoking Cessation Intervention in a Large Healthcare System

Adverse childhood experiences, mental health, substance use, and HIV-related outcomes among persons with HIV

Disparities in knowledge and use of tobacco treatment among smokers in California following healthcare reform

Capsule Commentary on Anthenelli et al., Predictors of Neuropsychiatric Adverse Events with Smoking Cessation Medications in the Randomized Controlled EAGLES Trial

Evaluation of a Pilot Perioperative Smoking Cessation Program: A Pre-Post Study

Trends in marijuana use among pregnant women with and without nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, 2009-2016

Characteristics of patients with substance use disorder before and after the Affordable Care Act

Evaluating the Impact of Eliminating Copayments for Tobacco Cessation Pharmacotherapy

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Mental and Behavioral Health Conditions During Pregnancy: The Role of Resilience

Data Are Needed on the Potential Adverse Effects of Marijuana Use in Pregnancy

Association of Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy With Prenatal Marijuana Use

Changes in Psychiatric and Medical Conditions and Health Care Utilization Following a Diagnosis of Sexual Assault: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Feasibility and Acceptability of Screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences in Prenatal Care

Documentation of e-cigarette use and associations with smoking from 2012 to 2015 in an integrated healthcare delivery system

Trends in Self-reported and Biochemically Tested Marijuana Use Among Pregnant Females in California From 2009-2016

Disparities in the Receipt of Tobacco Treatment Counseling within the US Context of the Affordable Care Act and Meaningful Use Implementation

Intimate Partner Violence, Smoking, and Pregnancy: What Can We Do to Help?

Do you vape? Leveraging electronic health records to assess clinician documentation of electronic nicotine delivery system use among adolescents and adults

Alcohol, Marijuana, and Opioid Use Disorders: 5-Year Patterns and Characteristics of Emergency Department Encounters

Buprenorphine Treatment and Patient Use of Health Services after the Affordable Care Act in an Integrated Health Care System

Smoke-Free Laws and Hazardous Drinking: A Cross-Sectional Study among U.S. Adults

Smoking, Mental Illness, and Public Health

Association of the Affordable Care Act With Smoking and Tobacco Treatment Utilization Among Adults Newly Enrolled in Health Care

Smoking Status and Opioid Related Problems and Concerns among Men and Women on Chronic Opioid Therapy

Transforming the Health Care Response to Intimate Partner Violence: Addressing "Wicked Problems"

Use of Electronic Cigarettes Among Cancer Survivors in the U.S

Patient-provider discussions about lung cancer screening pre- and post-guidelines: Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS)

Potential Unintended Consequences of Electronic Cigarette Use in Drinking Venues

Smoking Trends Among Adults With Behavioral Health Conditions in Integrated Health Care: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Massive open online nutrition and cooking course for improved eating behaviors and meal composition

Symptom severity and readiness to quit among hospitalized smokers with mental illness

Gender differences in a randomized controlled trial treating tobacco use among adolescents and young adults with mental health concerns

​Correlates and prevalence of menthol cigarette use among adults with serious mental illness

Electronic Cigarettes in Jails: A Panacea or Public Health Problem?

Prevalence and correlates of electronic-cigarette use in young adults: Findings from three studies over five years

Drinking experience uncovers genetic influences on alcohol expectancies across adolescence

Validity of self-reported adult secondhand smoke exposure

Multiple risk behavior profiles of smokers with serious mental illness and motivation for change

Tobacco retailer proximity and density and nicotine dependence among smokers with serious mental illness

PTSD symptomatology and readiness to quit smoking among women with serious mental illness

Are statewide restaurant and bar smoking bans associated with reduced cigarette smoking among those with mental illness?

Neuropsychological deficits in major depression reflect genetic/familial risk more than clinical history: a monozygotic discordant twin-pair study

Increased cigarette tax is associated with reductions in alcohol consumption in a longitudinal U.S. sample

Patterns of resource utilization and mental health symptoms among women exposed to multiple types of victimization: a latent class analysis

Posttraumatic stress disorder symptom clusters, alcohol misuse, and women's use of intimate partner violence

​Longitudinal associations between smoking cessation medications and alcohol consumption among smokers in the International Tobacco Control Four Country survey

Smoke-free policies in drinking venues predict transitions in alcohol use disorders in a longitudinal U.S. sample

Shared genetic contributions to early-onset drinking and drinking to cope motives

Heritability of alcohol dependence is similar in women and men

The effects of age at drinking onset and stressful life events on alcohol use in adulthood: a replication and extension using a population-based twin sample

The influence of gene-environment interactions on alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorders: a comprehensive review

Heritability and longitudinal stability of schizotypal traits during adolescence

Correlates and prevalence of menthol cigarette use among adults with serious mental illness

Longitudinal associations between smoking cessation medications and alcohol consumption among smokers in the International Tobacco Control Four Country survey