WINTER 2026
Top research highlights in 2025
From acupuncture for chronic back pain to improved cancer screening, these are the research stories that made headlines over the last year.
Researchers begin trial of nasal spray COVID-19 vaccine
KPWHRI is inviting healthy adults to take part — volunteers do not need to be members of Kaiser Permanente.
Screening tool links alcohol use to mortality
New findings enhance clinical value of AUDIT-C screening for addressing unhealthy alcohol use in primary care.
Study sheds light on risk of metastatic recurrence among young cancer patients
The findings highlight the need for tailored survivorship care.
Integrating social health into primary care
ACT Center findings provide insights on screening patients for social needs and helping them connect to social services.
NEWS FROM KPWHRI'S CENTERS
New LHS Program projects launching in 2026
The ACT Center is kicking off the new year with an updated portfolio of Learning Health System Program projects designed and conducted in partnership with Kaiser Permanente Washington leaders and care teams. New projects include developing tools to help primary care providers manage GLP-1 medications, supporting and evaluating implementation of eRADAR dementia screening for older adults, and piloting workflows to integrate alcohol use disorder treatment into Kaiser Permanente Washington’s collaborative care model. You can find a recap of last year’s LHS Program projects in the ACT Center’s year-end newsletter.
Identifying data-driven community health priorities
CCHE, in collaboration with Kaiser Permanente Community Health, achieved a key milestone in December 2025: 42 community health needs assessment reports completed and approved by Kaiser Foundation Health Plan/Hospital Board. The assessments are conducted every 3 years and encompass all Kaiser Permanente locations nationwide, helping to guide Kaiser Permanente’s future community health investments. The reports, available at kp.org/chna, include data from the Kaiser Permanente Community Health data platform and over 400 interviews with community experts. Learn more about the impact of this work in the 2024 Community Health Snapshot.
Recognition
- Brown awarded UW fellowship for wildfires-asthma project
- Jones recognized as top woman leader in Seattle, serves as panelist at evaluation conference
- Angerhofer gives 2 talks on firearm safety
- Krakauer shares methods research at women in data science conference
- Hickman gives 2 talks at GSA Annual Scientific Meeting
- Green gives invited presentation for American Heart Association
- McEvoy presents on risk factors for dementia at local retirement community
- Williamson leads research seminar for OSU Department of Statistics
- Brown presents at global evidence and implementation summit
More KPWHRI News
Land Acknowledgment
Our Seattle offices sit on the occupied land of the Duwamish and by the shared waters of the Coast Salish people, who have been here thousands of years and remain. Learn about practicing land acknowledgment.