Melissa Anderson, MS

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“My work is rewarding because we study a wide variety of scientific questions that address major public health priorities and our results have an impact.”

Melissa Anderson, MS

Principal Collaborative Biostatistician, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute

Biography

Biostatistician Melissa Anderson, MS, has collaborated on a wide range of health care topics throughout her career, with an emphasis on preventive care. Her recent research has focused on cancer screening and cardiovascular health. Ms. Anderson worked with Beverly Green, MD, MPH, to determine whether a centralized system of stepped increases in support improves uptake and long-term adherence to colorectal cancer screening.  Ms. Anderson and Dr. Green have also collaborated to answer important questions regarding cardiovascular health, including whether a patient’s cardiovascular risks can be defined using automated electronic health record data and if this method can identify high-risk patients. Other areas of interest are blood pressure measurement variability, and diagnostic accuracy of various blood pressure measurement protocols.

Ms. Anderson has experience with longitudinal observational studies and has considerable expertise in the design and analysis of randomized clinical trials. She was the lead analyst for recent randomized trials of behavioral interventions to (1) promote smoking cessation and oral health behaviors among smoking quitline callers, (2) decrease sedentary time among older adults with obesity, and (3) improve pain and function outcomes through group-based cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction among patients with chronic back pain.  

Ms. Anderson received her master’s degree in biostatistics at the University of Washington in 1996.  Prior to joining Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute in 2003, she worked at the Statistical Coordinating Center for the Cardiovascular Health Study, and the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. 

Research Interests and Experience

  • Biostatistics

    Randomized trials, diagnostic test accuracy, longitudinal data analysis, missing data methods

  • Behavior Change

    Physical activity, oral health care, smoking cessation

  • Cancer

    Breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening

    Cardiovascular Health

    Cardiovascular risk assessment, blood pressure measurement

  • Preventive Medicine

    Adherence to preventive care recommendations

Recent publications

Naumann RB, Dellinger AM, Anderson ML, Bonomi AE, Rivara FP. Healthcare utilization and costs among older adult female drivers and former drivers.  J Safety Res. 2012;43(2):141-4. Epub 2012 Feb 12. PubMed

Green BB, Anderson ML, Cook AJ, Catz S, Fishman P, McClure JB, Reid R. Using body mass index data in the electronic health record to calculate cardiovascular risk. Am J Prev Med. 2012;42:342-7. PubMed

Haneuse S, Buist DS, Miglioretti DL, Anderson ML, Carney PA, Onega T, Geller BM, Kerlikowske K, Rosenberg RD, Yankaskas BC, Elmore JG, Taplin SH, Smith RA, Sickles EA. Mammographic interpretive volume and diagnostic mammogram interpretation performance in community practice.  Radiology. 2012;262(1):69-79. Epub 2011 Nov 21. PubMed

Green B, Anderson M, Catz S, Ralston J. Self-reported use of home blood pressure monitoring does not predict improved hypertension control. Clin Med Res. 2011;9(3-4):152-3. PubMed

Green B, Anderson M, Fishman P, Reid R, Catz S, McClure J, Cook A. Electronic health record-based cardiovascular risk assessment and the use of BMI when laboratory data is not available. Clin Med Res. 2011;9(3-4):151-152. PubMed

 

New findings

Senior adult male sitting at table taking blood pressure with a blood pressure machine

There’s no place like home … to track blood pressure

Research led by KPWHRI’s Beverly Green, MD, MPH, finds that patients prefer at-home monitoring of blood pressure. 

health care innovation

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Research helps our newest clinics build the future—now

Katie Coleman tells how Kaiser Permanente Washington research supports innovation at new clinics in Ballard and South Lake Union.

research into action

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Healthy Hearts Northwest helps small clinics improve care

A new study shows how a little supplemental support can result in big gains, especially in managing patients’ blood pressure.