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.
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
Remote programs effective for chronic pain, study finds
Telehealth and online cognitive behavioral therapy could expand treatment options for chronic pain in rural areas.
Recent publications
Harding BN, Cruz TH, Jimenez EY, Kuhlemeier A, Dublin S, Swift SL Factors associated with inadequate sleep among high school students in New Mexico: Data from the New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey 2015-2023 2026 Jul;143:108894 doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2026.108894. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2026.108894. Epub 2026-03-12. PubMed
Gold RS, Henrikson NB, Issaka RB, Gillespie EF, Schuttner L, Weiner BJ, Marcotte LM How and Under What Conditions Do Patient Portals Improve Cancer Screening Completion: A Scoping Review 2026 Jun;5(3):100481. doi: 10.1016/j.focus.2026.100481. Epub 2026-01-21. PubMed
Vasavada A, Triplette M, Palazzo L, Ralston J, Carter-Bawa L, Luce C, Green BB, Gao H, Anderson ML, Su YR, Rogers K, Wernli KJ Is Anybody Out There? Understanding the Reach of Lung Cancer Screening Health Communication Through EHR Patient Portal 2026 May 31 doi: 10.1080/10810730.2026.2679491. Epub 2026-05-31. PubMed
Gunn CM, Boyer N, Sheikh S, Lee JM, Woloshin S, Specht JM, Hubbard RA, Aiello Bowles EJ, Tosteson ANA Patient- and Physician-Identified Considerations for Clinical Implementation of a New Risk-Based Prediction Tool to Guide Surveillance Mammography in Breast Cancer Survivors 2026 May 29 doi: 10.1200/OP-25-01048. Epub 2026-05-29. PubMed
Collaborate with us
KPWHRI welcomes partnerships with researchers outside of Kaiser Permanente as well as Kaiser Permanente clinicians and researchers. Learn more about collaborating with us.
