KPWHRI grants and contract revenue up by 25%

Research studies on COVID-19, mental health, and opioid addiction fueled growth in 2020

A year-end report from Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) shows the organization’s revenue from external grants and contracts grew to $57 million in 2020 — a 25% increase over the previous year. Much of the new growth comes from federal funding of research to stop COVID-19, to improve mental health, and to find alternatives to opioids for treatment of chronic pain.

“2020 brought unprecedented challenges to the health of populations locally and around the world,” said Rita Mangione-Smith, MD, MPH, Kaiser Permanente Washington’s vice president for research and innovation and executive director of KPWHRI.  “Fortunately, our KPWHRI scientists have the power to address these problems through programs we’ve been building over decades. Along with our partners at the National Institutes of Health, the CDC, the FDA, and other research organizations, our institute is bringing population-based scientific capabilities to areas where they’re needed most.”  

In addition to KPWHRI’s landmark work on COVID-19, the report cites contributions in areas such as social determinants of health, cancer, healthy aging, patient safety, the prevention and treatment of common chronic illnesses, and more.

KPWHRI’s total annual budget for 2020 topped $64 million, a 17% increase over 2019. About 72% of its funding came from the federal government.  Kaiser Permanente Washington provided 11%, with about 3% funding the Learning Health System Program, which combines the organization’s research and care delivery capabilities to benefit members, care teams, and communities.

To learn more about KPWHRI’s 2020 accomplishments, read “10 ways we helped chart a safer passage” and review the institute’s media coverage.

By Joan DeClaire