Our Research
Science to serve one goal: Better health
Scientists at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) have a rare advantage: We work within a system that provides both care and coverage. With a 360-degree view of people’s everyday health experience over time, we discover what works best to serve Kaiser Permanente's mission: better health.
We collaborate closely with Kaiser Permanente Washington's medical staff and other providers — gaining from their perspectives on practical approaches to health care’s toughest problems. Together, we create a learning health care system — a place where research strengthens practice and practice strengthen research.
Scientists
Working in the public interest
Our faculty work on interdisciplinary research teams, conducting about 300 studies at any given time. They partner with affiliate researchers and others from academic institutions and health systems and share findings in the public domain to serve the public good.
See our KPWHRI researcher directory.
2023 annual report
Research and innovation for better health
In 2023, KPWHRI conducted impactful studies on cancer screening, vaccine safety, suicide prevention, dementia care, and more.
Funding sources
A broad base of support
Most of our support comes from federal agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health. We also contract with biomedical companies and receive grants from private foundations. About 5 percent of our budget comes from Kaiser Permanente Washington.
See our list of funders.
Research
Changing sitting habits shows meaningful impact
A new trial highlights a promising intervention to improve blood pressure in older adults.
Recent publications
Kotlarek KJ, Levene S, Piccorelli AV, Allen GC, Barhaghi K, Neuberger I. Growth and symmetry of the levator veli palatini muscle within the first two years of life. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2024;61(11):1803-1813. doi: 10.1177/10556656231183776. Epub 2023 Jun 25. PubMed
Le P, Rich JJ, Bernstein EY, Glass J, Gasoyan H, Back SE, Bui TC, Ayers G, Rothberg MB. Disparities in treatment for alcohol use disorder among All of Us participants. Am J Psychiatry. 2024 Nov 1;181(11):973-987. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20230730. PubMed
Foster VM, Trentham-Dietz A, Stout NK, Lee CI, Ichikawa LE, Eavey J, Henderson L, Miglioretti DL, Tosteson ANA, Bowles EA, Kerlikowske K, Sprague BL. Supplemental breast cancer screening after negative mammography in U.S. women with dense breasts. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2024 Oct 30:djae272. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djae272. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed
Penfold RB, Idu AE, Coley RY, Cushing-Haugen KL, King D, Glass A, Phillips RC, Renz AD, Pabiniak CJ, Graham VF, Thompson EE, Ralston JD, Simon GE, Gonzalez ES, Myers KM, Beck A, Quintana LM, Runkle AJ, Rogers M, Foster DM, Clarke GN, Massimino S, Crawford PM, Cavese JA, Cordaro AR, Chavez LI, Kelleher KJ, Schwartz N, Jiner KR, Liu SB, Condrac S, Hilt RJ. Safer and targeted use of antipsychotics in youth: an embedded, pragmatic randomized trial. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2024 Oct 29. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.14059. Epub ahead of print]. PubMed
Collaborate with us
KPWHRI oversees all research conducted at Kaiser Permanente Washington, ensuring that all studies involving Kaiser Permanente Washington members are aligned with the organization’s primary mission: to improve health. Researchers from outside Kaiser Permanente Washington can learn more about our processes for collaborating with KPWHRI faculty members.
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.