Our researchers are leading the way to more effective, affordable, and equitable care.
Treatment for multiple sclerosis needs to change. At Kaiser Permanente, it already has.
We’ve improved care thanks to research conducted by Annette Langer-Gould, MD, PhD, and her colleagues.
Dr. Langer-Gould wants the rest of the world to follow. She co-authored an article in the journal Neurology urging the medical community to adopt use of a medication that has the potential to improve care for many patients.
Dr. Langer-Gould, a neurologist and a scientist who studies MS, discusses what she’s learned through her research.
MS is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, often leading to permanent disability. It cannot be cured. But medications can help reduce the risk of disability.
Nearly a million people in the United States have MS. For most people, the disease starts with a rather sudden onset of symptoms. Those symptoms may go away or lessen with time. If new symptoms appear or old symptoms return for a period of time, it’s called a relapse.
People with more aggressive MS benefit from stronger drugs. However, in the United States, many people can’t afford the copays. Sometimes people don’t get the treatment they need and become disabled.
At Kaiser Permanente in Southern California, our Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Optimization Program ensures that more people with relapsing MS receive highly effective drugs as early in the disease course as possible.
Key to the program is our increased use of a drug called rituximab. This drug is more traditionally used for cancer and other diseases. But evidence shows it’s safe and highly effective for relapsing MS. And it costs much less than other options.
Many insurance carriers in the United States and Europe limit coverage of rituximab for treating MS. They’ve cited a lack of regulatory approval for use of the drug to treat MS. But that may be changing.
The World Health Organization now lists rituximab as an essential drug for MS. I hope other organizations will follow. Wider use could have significant benefits for patients and could reduce inequities.
A study we published in 2022 found that MS relapse rates plummeted for Kaiser Permanente members in Southern California during the initial rollout of our program. Thanks in part to the lower cost of rituximab, the cost of treatment has fallen.
And patients say they love rituximab. Besides being effective and affordable, it’s long-lasting, so they don’t need to come to the office as often. That means more people tend to stick with treatment over time.
What’s more, research in Sweden showed similar benefits of rituximab for patients. The country’s health care system has now approved it for MS. It really seems to be a game changer.
I began seeing MS patients as a medical resident and PhD student. It’s a chronic disease, so it gave me an opportunity to build rewarding, long-term relationships with patients. I also realized studying MS would be a chance to fight for underserved patients.
Our success with MS highlights Kaiser Permanente’s use of evidence-based medicine. We’re improving care based on evidence gathered through our research. And we hope the rest of the country follows our lead.
A Kaiser Permanente radiologist answers commonly asked questions.
After a long period of loneliness and isolation, Roberta Maguire gets the …
New medical offices will enhance the health care experience for members …
Kaiser Permanente celebrates doctors and nurse practitioners recognized …
These guidelines ensure we use artificial intelligence tools that are safe …
Chef Ann Foundation will use $275,000 grant for Colorado program to convert …
To reduce barriers, Food Bank of the Rockies’ Culturally Responsive Food …
Kaiser Permanente is making waves this summer, ensuring that communities …
The Kaiser Permanente Colorado Health Action Summit gathered nonprofits, …
Exceptional, personalized radiation oncology care helped Maura Craig treat …
Participate in a study to help uncover the causes of cancer and how to …
Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, …
Kaiser Permanente is committed to finding ways to help reduce falls in …
Some of the most common conditions affecting men carry a social stigma …
It’s easy to put off recommended health screenings, and sometimes even …
Lynch syndrome is a gene mutation that increases colon cancer risk. Learn …
With the right policies and partnerships, artificial intelligence can lead …
Kaiser Permanente excels in preventing, detecting, and treating kidney …
Colorado musician back with the band thanks to new virtual cardiac rehab …
A new Kaiser Permanente facility in Bellflower, California, makes customized …
Gabriel Abarca had no hope for his future. Then the team at Kaiser Permanente …
You have only one heart. ‘Prescribe’ yourself a few changes to help protect …
One of the best ways to prevent future heart conditions is knowing what …
CityHealth’s 2023 Annual Policy Assessment awards cities for their policies …
Attendees look at ways to get healthy food to people who don’t have enough …
Learn how you can participate in a study to uncover what causes cancer …
Greg A. Adams; Maria Ansari, MD, FACC; and Ramin Davidoff, MD, have been …
Nari Gopala, Kaiser Permanente’s chief digital officer, answers 3 questions …
If you have an ongoing health condition, you know it can be tricky to keep …
The Thriving Schools program helps educators and students in Colorado integrat …
Members give video visits high marks — and with a few simple tips, you …
Kaiser Permanente’s adoption of disruptive technology in the 1970s sparked …
Kaiser Permanente is at the forefront of cervical cancer research. Find …
A Kaiser Permanente cardiologist shares advice on how to stay safe, what …
Students should study up on their care options to ace their school experience. …
After a diagnosis for a rare type of blood cancer, Marla Marriott got high-qua …
Learn how lifestyle medicine is part of cancer care at Kaiser Permanente.
Tips for preventing sunburn and decreasing the risk of skin cancer.
A reminder that men and women can assert control over risk factors that …
When thousands of women industrial workers, often called “Rosies,” joined …
Gestational diabetes poses a significant risk to women of color, particularly …
Kaiser Permanente launches new mobile health vehicle on Oahu.
Learn why early screening is crucial for prevention and treatment.
From avid snowboarder to chronically ill patient. How Kaiser Permanente …
Hawaii community vaccination team’s pop-up events with COVID-19 and flu shots.
A sleep expert shares 4 practical tips for coping with the time shift and …
School-based flu vaccination clinics made it safe and convenient for students …
Proactive flu prevention outreach in Downey, California.
CityHealth recognizes Denver for its leadership in supporting policies …
Special event helps Latino community ensure their flu vaccinations and …
We’re different than other health plans, and that’s how we think health …
Kaiser Permanente is the first health care organization to win Design Company …
Learn about our rich legacy of scientific research that spurred revolutionary …
A Kaiser Permanente physician shares why quick detection and expert treatment …
Los Angelenos in need enjoy access to quality food, thanks to partnerships …
He needed help coping with back pain while ending his reliance on opioids. …
For men who often resist regular doctor visits and health screenings, making …
Connect for Cancer Prevention Study’s goal to recruit 200,000 participants …
Urologists and oncologists work with research and technology partners to …
This innovation in rooming-in allowed newborns to stay close to mothers …
It’s never too late (or too soon) to take preventive steps. And, with a …
If you have a chronic condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes, …
Wellness and fitness-tracking devices can help doctors and patients coordinate …
Kaiser Permanente grants help fund community organizations working to expand …
Forlorn and all but forgotten, it played a proud role during the World …
Dr. Chileshe Price shares her commitment to advancing cardiac care through …
Available 24/7 with no appointment, e-visits offer Kaiser Permanente members …
Proceeds from a new book detailing the history of the Kaiser Foundation …
The 1970s nurse-midwife movement transformed delivery practices.
A routine screening helped detect Bill Walsh’s cancer before it became …
Kaiser Permanente’s fully integrated telehealth capabilities place quality …
Nation’s health care leaders and clinicians in annual survey point to Kaiser …
Michelle Wofford gets a new lease on life after a serious cardiac event.
Kaiser Broadcasting radio connected listeners, while TV stations brought …
Kaiser Permanente mobile health vehicles brought care to people, closing …
Kaiser Foundation School of Nursing students learned a new philosophy emphasiz …
Environmentalism was a common practice at the Kaiser shipyards long before …
The founding of Kaiser Permanente's concept of prepaid health care in the …
Meet 5 outstanding doctors who advanced the practice of medical care with …
Kaiser Permanente librarians are vital in helping clinicians remain updated …
Health care takes root in Oakland, California.
Hear Kaiser Permanente’s physician co-founder talk about what he learned …
Paul de Kruif, microbiologist and writer, provides early accounts of Kaiser …
Harold Willson, an employee, and an advocate for accessible transportation, …
The expanded new location provided care to a greater population of members …
Kaiser Permanente incorporated innovative circular architectural designs …
When polio epidemics erupted, pioneering treatments by Dr. Herman Kabat …
Throughout his career, Dr. Van Brunt applied computers and databases in …
Kaiser Permanente's Health Education Research Center and Health Education …
When industrial workers joined the health plan, an integrated battery of …
The 1960s represented a bold step in medical office architecture around …
There are hospital rounds, and there are round hospitals.
Since the 1940s, Kaiser Industries and Kaiser Permanente have a long history …
The last published work of Morris F. Collen, MD, one of Kaiser Permanente’s …
Transitioning to electronic health records introduced new approaches, skills, …
Kaiser Permanente International designs, develop, and test a remote health …
Kaiser Permanente proposed a revolutionary national health care model after …
Though supplies for civilians were limited, Dr. Morris Collen’s wartime …