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
Mahmud A, Brown MC, Wong ES, Ornelas IJ, Wellman R, Pardee R, Mun S, Singer A, Westbrook E, Barnes K, Haan HD, Lewis CC. Comparison of clinic-based assistance versus a centralized call center on patient-reported social needs: Findings from a randomized pilot social health integration program. BMC Public Health. 2025 Mar 28;25(1):1171. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-22334-x. PubMed
Chen AT, Wang LC, Johnny S, Wong SH, Chaliparambil RK, Conway M, Glass JE. Stigma and behavior change techniques in substance use recovery: Qualitative study of social media narratives. JMIR Form Res. 2025 Mar 26;9:e57468. doi: 10.2196/57468. PubMed
Schillok H, Gensichen J, Panagioti M, Gunn J, Junker L, Lukaschek K, Jung-Sievers C, Sterner P, Kaupe L, Dreischulte T, Ali MK, Aragonès E, Bekelman DB, Herbeck Belnap B, Carney RM, Chwastiak LA, Coventry PA, Davidson KW, Ekstrand ML, Flehr A, Fletcher S, Hölzel LP, Huijbregts K, Mohan V, Patel V, Richards DA, Rollman BL, Salisbury C, Simon GE, Srinivasan K, Unützer J, Wells KB, Zimmermann T, Bühner M; POKAL Group. Effective components of collaborative care for depression in primary care: An individual participant data meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry. 2025 Mar 26. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2025.0183. Online ahead of print. PubMed
DeSilva MB, Haapala J, Vazquez-Benitez G, Daley MF, Lewin B, Klein NP, Liles EG, Jackson LA, Williams JTB, Donahue JG, Katherine Yih W, Kharbanda EO. COVID-19 and completion of select routine childhood vaccinations. Pediatrics. 2025 Mar 26:e2024068244. doi: 10.1542/peds.2024-068244. Online 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.