Top research highlights in 2024

From improving blood pressure to mapping cellular changes in Alzheimer’s, these are the research stories that made headlines over the last year

In 2024 ...

• A new study found that a relatively simple intervention improved older adults’ blood pressure by helping them sit less.
• Researchers found that suicide attempts decreased after integrating suicide care into primary care.
• Collaborations informed new guidelines for breast cancer screening — and uncovered potential targets for future Alzheimer’s therapies by studying the disease on a cellular level.

Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) contributed to these achievements and more in 2024. These highlights reflect our focus on continuous learning between our region’s research and care delivery, collaborations with our partners and study participants, and — most importantly — our mission to advance health, well-being, and health equity for Kaiser Permanente members and all communities.

Changing sitting habits shows meaningful impact

A KPWHRI study used a relatively simple approach — involving health coaching, an activity tracker, and a standing desk — to help older adults reduce sitting time by around 30 minutes a day. This reduction in sedentary time led to improvements in blood pressure comparable to those found in studies where participants increased their time spent exercising. 

Analysis supports new recommendation to begin mammogram screening at 40

KPWHRI researchers were part of a multi-site study that found breast cancer screening every 2 years beginning at age 40 has the potential to reduce death rates from the disease while minimizing screening harms, such as false-positive results. These findings informed the newly released U.S. Preventive Services Task Force breast cancer screening recommendations.

Suicide attempts decreased after adding suicide care to primary care

After suicide care was integrated into routine primary care visits, KPWHRI researchers found a 25% decrease in the rate of suicide attempts in the 90 days following these visits.

The study is the first to show that suicide risk screening in primary care, followed by safety planning, improved suicide prevention efforts in a health care setting. The trial took place at Kaiser Permanente clinics in Washington state, which provides care for approximately 700,000 people statewide.

Mapping Alzheimer’s at the cellular level for new treatment targets

Researchers from the Allen Institute for Brain Science, UW Medicine, and KPWHRI have created the most detailed picture yet of how Alzheimer’s disease progresses at the cellular level. The study analyzed over 3.4 million cells from 84 donated brains, most from Kaiser Permanente Washington members in the Adult Changes in Thought Study (ACT Study).

The researchers found that a type of neuron (the somatostatin-expressing inhibitory neuron) is one of the earliest cell types that is lost in Alzheimer's disease — a surprising discovery that could highlight potential targets for future therapies.

When is Paxlovid right for COVID-19 treatment?

Paxlovid is recommended as a COVID-19 treatment for adults who are at high risk of severe complications, but it’s up to health care providers to assess a patient’s level of risk — and to weigh that risk alongside the potential side effects of treatment.

Thanks to a new predictive model, care teams and patients at Kaiser Permanente Washington can now use real-time data on individual risk factors to help guide their decision-making. The model was developed by KPWHRI’s Center for Accelerating Care Transformation (ACT Center).

Study sheds light on needs of young people with cancer

A KPWHRI study provided some of the most comprehensive information to date on potential care gaps for young cancer survivors.

Researchers looked at emergency department visits within 5 years of a cancer diagnosis, as these visits can indicate when someone is experiencing health concerns that could be related to their diagnosis. Regular emergency department visits might also mean that a patient doesn’t have a primary care doctor, is not seeing them regularly, or is not seeing their oncology doctor for follow-up. 

The study found that rates of emergency department use were higher for those who had public insurance and were between 20 and 24 years old, female, and Black. Colorectal cancer and cervical cancer diagnoses were also associated with higher rates of emergency department use compared with other cancer diagnoses.

Bariatric surgery linked to lower risk of blood clots long-term

KPWHRI led the largest study to date exploring the long-term risk of blood clots in veins (venous thromboembolism) among adults with severe obesity who had weight-loss surgery.

One year after surgery, patients had a 48% lower risk of VTE compared to patients with severe obesity who did not have surgery. Their risk of pulmonary embolism (a type of VTE that affects the lungs) was 70% lower. And after 5 years, they had a 41% lower risk of VTE and a 55% lower risk of pulmonary embolism.

Single question helps identify patients at higher risk of cannabis use disorder

A KPWHRI study evaluated the use of a screening tool in primary care settings that asks patients one question — how often they used cannabis in the last year. The researchers found that the prevalence and severity of cannabis use disorder (CUD) increased with more frequent use, with 20% of people reporting daily cannabis use at risk for moderate to severe CUD.

The study findings provide further support for use of the single-question screening. The responses can be used by clinical teams to help patients understand their risk of CUD and to determine which patients might benefit from further screening.

Intervention supporting unhoused patients shows promise

Samaritan, an intervention to assist individuals at risk for or experiencing homelessness, showed encouraging results in a pilot evaluated by KPWHRI’s Center for Community Health and Evaluation (CCHE).

Samaritan aims to help people experiencing homelessness (known as Samaritan Members) set and achieve goals related to housing, income, health, and other essential needs. Care managers work with Members to break down these goals into actionable steps. Members receive financial incentives for completing steps and upfront support to overcome immediate challenges.

CCHE found that the health care costs for Samaritan Members during the 12 months after enrollment were less than half of those for a comparison group that wasn’t enrolled in the intervention. This cost reduction was driven by a decrease in emergency department use and hospitalizations, alongside an increase in prevention care.

We look forward to continuing our work to create a healthier world in 2025, and we wish everyone a safe, healthy, and joyful new year.