News Archives
5 questions for Dr. Hui Zhou
February 19, 2026Read more...Hui Zhou PhD, MS, is the biostatistician lead in the Division of Epidemiologic Research for the Department of Research & Evaluation. There she collaborates with epidemiologists and clinical investigators on research studies ranging from conditions like hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and bone fractures. Dr. Zhou has extensive research experience in prediction model
Study evaluates heart disease risk prediction across Asian ethnicities
February 19, 2026Read more...A Kaiser Permanente study found that the PREVENT cardiovascular risk equation had strong overall ability to predict 10-year cardiovascular disease risk in Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Other Pacific Islander adults. However, its accuracy differed across specific Asian ethnic subgroups and showed consistent patterns of over- and under-estimating when grouping by race and ethnicity. The study
Rethinking MS treatment: Why less may be more
February 3, 2026Read more...For years, people living with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) have depended on powerful medications to keep their disease under control. One of the most effective treatments has been rituximab, a therapy that works by depleting B cells, which are the immune cells that drive inflammation with MS. However, new research from Kaiser Permanente
Staying active during pregnancy helps keep postpartum weight off
February 3, 2026Read more...For years, researchers have known that many people struggle to lose the weight they gain during pregnancy. Up to 1 in 4 individuals retain at least 10 pounds 1 to 2 years after giving birth, and this lingering weight can raise their long‑term risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and other metabolic problems. Despite the importance
Wildfire smoke studies reveal differing health risks
February 3, 2026Read more...Wildfire smoke has increasingly been recognized as a serious public health threat. Now, 2 new Kaiser Permanente studies in Southern California have examined how health risks for both young and old people might be associated with exposure. One study showed that long-term exposure increased the risk of death among older adults, while another found that
Researcher Dr. Hui Zhou’s joyful New Year’s Day walk
January 13, 2026Read more...On a rainy New Year’s morning in Pasadena, Dr. Hui Zhou, a research scientist with the Department of Research & Evaluation, walked alongside Kaiser Permanente’s float, “A Better Idea for Health Care,” in the Rose Parade. It was a moment of pride and joy. Dr. Zhou wasn’t just proud to represent Kaiser Permanente. …
More than just a pretty space: What research tells us about parks
December 8, 2025Read more...For many people, public parks are just a beautiful green space they drive by on their way to work. However, research has shown that parks play a crucial role in people’s physical activity, and the community’s health. By studying parks, researchers aim to understand how these public spaces enhance community health, encourage active lifestyles, and
Five questions for Dr. Mingsum Lee
December 5, 2025Read more...Mingsum Lee, MD, PhD, has been named as the 2025 Southern California Permanente Medical Group Physician Researcher of the Year. Commenting about her selection for the award, one nominator said Dr. Lee “is a true quadruple threat as an exceptional clinician, educator, administrator, and prolific researcher, but also has a humility and generosity which defines
Los Angeles wildfires increased virtual medical visits
November 26, 2025Read more...In January 2025, when wildfires swept from the foothills above Los Angeles into the densely populated urban areas below, evacuations ensued and a thick layer of smoke spread across the region. Air quality plummeted. The number of virtual visits soared and in-person visits also increased. Research led by Kaiser Permanente Southern California and the University
Predicting heart issues among breast cancer survivors
November 26, 2025Read more...Researchers have developed a new risk calculation model to help predict the risks of heart problems for breast cancer survivors. Their research was published in JAMA Oncology in October 2025. “There is limited information about how breast cancer treatments can affect the development of cardiovascular disease,” said study co-senior author Reina Haque, PhD, MPH, a
Diabetes medications vary in ability to reduce heart attacks and strokes
October 28, 2025Read more...A new study led by Kaiser Permanente researchers compared how well 4 different types of glucose-lowering medications reduced the risk of heart attack and stroke for patients with type 2 diabetes, providing important new information for these patients and their physicians. The study, published in JAMA Network Open in October, 2025, analyzed data collected on
Insomnia increases depression risk for breast cancer survivors
October 24, 2025Read more...Breast cancer survivors face a high risk of major depressive disorder, also known as clinical depression, particularly if they also have insomnia, according to findings from a new study of Kaiser Permanente members. “We determined that the risk of major depression disorder was markedly higher in breast cancer survivors than in a matched group of
Some UTIs may be caused by contaminated meat
October 24, 2025Read more...Nearly 1 in 5 urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Southern California could be due to E. coli strains transmitted through contaminated meat, according to a new study of Kaiser Permanente Southern California members. The research also found that those living in low-income neighborhoods were at increased risk of these infections. The study was published in
Physicians develop program to better control patient blood sugars
October 20, 2025Read more...After COVID-19 hit in 2020, some physicians within Kaiser Permanente grew concerned that their patients with diabetes weren’t achieving healthy blood sugar control. Even when they came into the office for a visit, follow-up for getting labs to check on their hemoglobin A1c— a blood test that measures the average blood sugar level over the
Young cancer survivors face higher risk of chronic conditions
October 20, 2025Read more...Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors face significantly higher risks of developing chronic medical conditions compared to their peers without cancer, a new study showed. The findings were published in Cancer, the journal of the American Cancer Society. “As cancer survival rates improve for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors, their numbers are increasing,” said
Five questions for Dr. Sujatha Murali
October 1, 2025Read more...Sujatha Murali, MD, MS is a hematologist and medical oncologist in San Diego and currently serves as the Southern California Breast Cancer Lead and Principal Investigator for breast cancer clinical trials within Kaiser Permanente Southern California’s Cancer Clinical Trials Access Program. She joined Kaiser Permanente in 2016 after working at the Winship Cancer Institute of
Opioid tapering and risk of overdose
September 8, 2025Read more...After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued opioid prescribing guidelines in 2016, the national opioid dispensing rates steadily declined. However, while reducing opioid prescriptions is critically important, abruptly stopping opioids for pain has been shown to possibly raise the risk of overdose for patients. Against this backdrop, Kaiser Permanente was among the first
Five questions for Dr. Talar Habeshian
September 8, 2025Read more...Talar Habeshian, PhD, MPH, was appointed as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Division of Epidemiologic Research at the Department of Research & Evaluation in August. She will focus on cancer research initiatives. Prior to her postdoctoral appointment, Dr. Habeshian worked as a research associate in the Division of Health Services Research & Implementation Science
COVID-19 vaccination not linked to tinnitus
August 12, 2025Read more...New Kaiser Permanente research shows that the COVID-19 vaccine does not increase the risk of developing tinnitus, which is a ringing in the ears. “Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, some people complained about hearing some sound after being vaccinated, but it wasn’t actually an external sound, it was tinnitus, which is the perception of
Fewer breast cancer patients received imaging follow-up after COVID-19 hit
August 12, 2025Read more...A new Kaiser Permanente study showed that fewer breast cancer survivors received recommended annual breast cancer imaging in the time after the COVID-19 pandemic period compared to before the pandemic. The study was published in JAMA Oncology in July 2025. Little has been known previously about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on post-treatment surveillance
Finding factors that could help patients achieve remission from Type 2 diabetes
August 12, 2025Read more...A diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes typically means a future of blood sugar monitoring and glucose-lowering medications. But interest is growing in identifying which people with diabetes might be able to stop taking their medications and control their disease with diet and exercise alone. A new Kaiser Permanente study, published in Diabetes Care, sheds light
Five questions for Dr. Taynara Formagini
July 24, 2025Read more...A behavioral and public health scientist, Taynara Formagini, PhD, MSc, is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Research & Evaluation. Her work focuses on preventing cardiovascular and chronic diseases among racial and ethnic minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations through a combination of intervention research and epidemiology. What inspired you to pursue research? I’m
Comorbidities could increase risk of other cancers for breast cancer survivors
July 24, 2025Read more...Kaiser Permanente research found that breast cancer survivors have a higher risk of developing other cancers if they have other preexisting health conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. “Preexisting health conditions are common in people diagnosed with cancer and what we’ve learned with this study is that comorbidities — experiencing multiple illnesses or
Five questions for Dr. Maheen Humayun
July 24, 2025Read more...Maheen Humayun, PhD, MPH, is an infectious disease epidemiologist and postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Research & Evaluation. Prior to joining Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Humayun worked as an HIV Cluster Detection and Response Fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In that role, she analyzed national HIV surveillance data to detect rapid
Opioid use associated with increased risk of mortality for breast cancer survivors
July 24, 2025Read more...About 16% of breast cancer survivors continued to use opioid pain medications after their cancer treatment was complete, a new Kaiser Permanente study showed. The study also found that risk of death was 84% higher among these survivors who continued to use opioids. The study was published in June 2025 in JNCI Cancer Spectrum. “The
Tailored outreach may be needed for some young cancer survivors
July 1, 2025Read more...Growing numbers of patients are diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15 and 39. These younger cancer patients can have complex health needs after their cancer treatment and should receive health care that includes screening for new cancers, addresses potential issues related to their treatment, and emphasizes general preventive care. Researchers at Kaiser Permanente
Researchers study young cancer survivors and their opioid use.
June 16, 2025Read more...Young cancer survivors were more likely to be on long-term opioid therapy when compared to their counterparts without cancer. But among those on long-term opioid therapy, young cancer survivors were less likely to develop opioid use disorder than their peers without cancer, according to Kaiser Permanente research. The study was published in Cancer in May
Algorithm improves MS treatment while reducing disparities
June 16, 2025Read more...A novel treatment algorithm developed and implemented within Kaiser Permanente Southern California increased the use of effective medications for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), and reduced treatment disparities for Hispanic and Black patients. “Studies show Hispanic and Black people with MS typically have higher levels of disability than white people, but no studies have addressed
Five questions for … Dr. Navdeep Sangha
May 20, 2025Read more...Navdeep S. Sangha, MD, is a vascular neurologist and co-assistant chief of Neurology at the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. He is the director of the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Regional Stroke Program and the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Telestroke Program. He joined Los Angeles Medical Center’s Neurology Department in 2012. As the principal investigator
Clinical trials nurse brings skill and compassion to patients in San Diego
May 12, 2025Read more...*Final in a series highlighting research nurses during Nurses Week 2025* Michael Fechter, LVN, was an emergency medical technician, working to become a paramedic and firefighter. On one emergency call, a critical care transport nurse suggested something that changed the direction of his career. “She told me that I needed to be where I could