As a research center embedded within Kaiser Permanente’s large and dynamic health care system, our investigators have a unique opportunity to apply scientific expertise to real-world clinical problems, translate findings into practice, and share what we learn with the broader community.
Dr. Mensah is a maternal/child health epidemiologist and postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Research & Evaluation. Her research seeks to understand how clinical guidelines and practices shape preterm birth outcomes in women at risk for preterm labor. Her research priorities include working with the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Pregnancy Registry.
Before joining Kaiser Permanente in 2021, Dr. Mensah worked in research in a number of roles at the University of ...
Over the years, clinical trials have led to amazing advances in treatment—even cures—for devastating illnesses. William Towner, MD, FACP, FIDSA, regional physician director for clinical trials, describes how trials at Kaiser Permanente contribute to the development of more effective and safer treatments for diseases such as HIV, hepatitis C, cancer, and more. (2:15)
Children who ate more ultraprocessed foods showed stronger activity in a part of the brain involved in reward, and that brain response was linked to greater gains in body fat over the following year, a new study found. The study — published October 2026 in JAMA Network Open — followed 46 children ages 7 to ...
A large multisite study found that bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, flu vaccination, and same-day administration of both vaccines were not associated with an increased risk of first-ever ischemic stroke. “This study found no evidence of an increased risk of ischemic stroke following bivalent COVID-19 vaccination, influenza vaccination, or receiving both vaccines on the same day,” ...
An RSV vaccine continued to protect adults aged 60 and older against RSV-related hospitalization and emergency department visits for at least 3 seasons after vaccination, according to a new study by Kaiser Permanente in Southern California. RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is a common respiratory virus that can cause serious illness, hospitalization, and even death ...
Casey Luc, PhD, MPH, an epidemiologist with expertise in HIV epidemiology in underserved communities, is the fifth Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epidemic Intelligence Service officer to train with Kaiser Permanente Southern California’s Department of Research & Evaluation. Before joining Kaiser Permanente, he served as a health scientist contractor in the Syndemic Infectious Diseases ...
Kevin Yu, PhD, is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Research & Evaluation at Kaiser Permanente Southern California. He earned his PhD in health informatics from Northwestern University, where his work focused on pharmacoepidemiology and health informatics. His research focuses on cardiovascular disease and dementia, with a particular interest in target trial emulation ...
From food deliveries that help people manage diabetes to vaccines that provide lasting protection, the latest issue of IMPACT highlights research making a real difference in people’s lives. In honor of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, the newsletter also introduces the department’s newest postdoctoral researcher and newest Epidemic Intelligence Service officer. The issue also features studies on advanced heart failure care delivered safely at home and showcases national media coverage of Kaiser Permanente research.
Investigators with the Division of Health Services Research & Implementation Science study how care is delivered, identify opportunities for care improvement, and implement new approaches for organizing and delivering health services. The division brings together scientists with diverse expertise and training, including emergency medicine, epidemiology, health services research, implementation science, internal medicine, nursing, pharmaceutical economics, and pulmonology.
The division co-leads the Care Improvement Research Team, a research team embedded within Kaiser Permanente Southern California’s quality improvement ecosystem. The team works closely with clinical and operational partners at Kaiser Permanente Southern California to identify, prioritize, and solve problems related to quality and affordability. Its goal is to reduce unnecessary practice variation, improve affordability, and transform care.