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
Chao CR, Xu L, Wu BU, Figueiredo JC, Getahun D, Cannavale KL, Gilfillan AD, Chubak J Association between broad-spectrum antibiotic use and risk of early-onset colorectal cancer 2026 Apr;35(4):637-646 doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-25-0912. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-25-0912. Epub 2026-01-13. PubMed
Shadyab AH, Zhang B, LaCroix AZ, McEvoy LK Randomization to hormone therapy and changes in plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer's pathology: The women's health initiative memory study 2026 Apr;207:108873 doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2026.108873. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2026.108873. Epub 2026-02-11. PubMed
Gao J, Smith VA, Maciejewski ML, Zepel L, Arterburn DE, Kawatkar AA, Sloan CE, Clark AG, Rigdon J Identifying Bariatric Surgery Patients With the Most Favorable Cost Outcomes 2026 Apr;61(2):e70096. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.70096. PubMed
Gibson LL, Suemoto CK, Attems J, Abner EL, Corrada MM, Gomez-Isaza L, Grinberg LT, Kapasi A, Jicha GA, Kawas C, Keene CD, Kovacs GG, Latimer CS, Leite REP, Montine T, Myllykangas L, Neltner AM, Troncoso J, Walker KA, Walker R, Wang SJ, Aarsland D, Nelson PT The prevalence of Lewy body pathology across nine international community-based cohorts 2026 Mar 26 doi: 10.1093/brain/awag112. Epub 2026-03-26. 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.
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.