Research Areas
Featured Area
Aging & Geriatrics
As the world’s population is aging, scientists at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) are at the forefront of research to help older adults lead healthier lives.
Among the questions KPWHRI scientists have examined include whether getting regular exercise may reduce the risk of dementia, whether widely used medications increase the risk of falls and fractures, how long-term use of opioid pain medications affects the brain, and what approaches can help frail older adults become more physically active.
KPWHRI In The Media
Finding clues to dementia and Alzheimer’s
Tracking King County seniors (and their brains) for clues to dementia and Alzheimer’s
Seattle Times, April 14, 2023
Research Area Overview
Addictions
KPWHRI researchers are exploring how to improve prevention and treatment of health issues due to alcohol and other drug use. The addictions research group conducts innovative research to help patients and their providers prevent and treat problems caused by tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, opioids, and other drugs in health settings.
Aging & Geriatrics
Nearly all KPWHRI research contributes to helping seniors lead healthier lives, including studies that have followed Kaiser Permanente Washington members over decades. Learn how our findings have changed how people think about physical activity, brain health, and what it means to grow old.
Behavior Change
Behavior plays a major part in everybody's well being. Find out how KPWHRI research is making it easier to develop lifelong habits that can keep you and your family healthy.
Biostatistics
High-quality health care research depends on high-quality biostatistics. Discover how KPWHRI's Biostatistics Unit develops, improves, and applies rigorous statistical methods to enhance research at Kaiser Permanente Washington and nationwide.
Cancer
KPWHRI researchers are improving the quality of cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment. By studying populations within Kaiser Permanente Washington and large national research networks, they are helping to improve health outcomes for millions. Learn more.
Cardiovascular Health
KPWHRI studies how genetics, medications, and everyday choices affect heart health. See how our discoveries in prevention and treatment can improve the health of patients today and for years to come.
Child & Adolescent Health
From before birth to late adolescence, health experiences can affect the quality of a person's entire life. Explore how KPWHRI research is getting kids off to a great start through healthy lifestyles, management of chronic health problems, and more.
Chronic Illness Management
Meeting the complex needs of patients with chronic illness or impairment is the single greatest challenge facing organized medical practice. KPWHRI leads the way in developing, implementing, and promoting better models of care for chronic illness. Find out more.
Health Informatics
KPWHRI focuses on developing health information technology to transform health care delivery. Learn how our work is engaging patients and providers together, both inside and outside traditional health care settings.
Health Services & Economics
As American health care undergoes unprecedented changes, KPWHRI research focuses on finding out what works—and what doesn't—to improve health outcomes, patient experience, and affordability. See how we're influencing health care delivery, coverage, policy, and more.
Healthy Communities
Staying healthy requires more than access to a great care team. People need walkable streets, wholesome food, and other healthy conditions. Read about researchers from our Center for Community Health and Evaluation who are making neighborhoods vital and strong.
Medication Use & Patient Safety
Americans are using more prescription drugs than ever. KPWHRI researchers are studying the harms and benefits—helping to reduce side effects, hazardous drug interactions, and costs. These issues are especially important for those with multiple conditions and medications. Learn more.
Mental Health
Traditional mental health therapy reaches only a fraction of the millions who need treatment. KPWHRI researchers are finding practical, patient-centered ways to reach people affected by conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
Obesity
KPWHRI research focuses on three ways to halt America’s obesity epidemic. See how we're helping to change obesity-promoting environments, bring evidence-based prevention and treatment programs into health care systems, and help people develop lifelong healthy diet and activity habits.
Preventive Medicine
Great preventive care means promoting healthy behaviors, building sound prevention services into everyday clinical care, and designing smart health care benefits. KPWHRI researchers have access to data from a large, stable population over time, allowing them to discover which approaches to prevention work best. Find out more.
Social Determinants of Health
KPWHRI researchers are committed to understanding how to best identify, understand, and appropriately respond to factors known as social determinants of health to improve the health of our members and our communities.
Vaccines & Infectious Diseases
KPWHRI research guards communities by continually improving the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. Learn how our immunization studies help protect children, adults, and seniors from dangerous infectious diseases, including COVID-19.
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.