News Archives

  • 5 questions for Dr. Hui Zhou

    February 19, 2026
    Dr. Hui Zhou 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 development ...
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  • Study evaluates heart disease risk prediction across Asian ethnicities

    February 19, 2026
    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 went ...
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  • Rethinking MS treatment: Why less may be more

    February 3, 2026
    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 Southern ...
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  • Staying active during pregnancy helps keep postpartum weight off

    February 3, 2026
    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 of ...
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  • Wildfire smoke studies reveal differing health risks

    February 3, 2026
    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 prenatal ...
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  • Researcher Dr. Hui Zhou’s joyful New Year’s Day walk

    January 13, 2026
      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. … Her daughter, ...
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  • More than just a pretty space: What research tells us about parks

    December 8, 2025
    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 assess ...
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  • Five questions for Dr. Mingsum Lee

    December 5, 2025
    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 ...
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