Our researchers focus on a number of high-priority topics.

Our research briefs highlight how our research contributes to understanding risk, improving patient outcomes, and translating research into policy and practice. 

Adolescent health

Adolescence is widely considered to be a period of ideal physical health. However, the rapid physical, cognitive, and social changes teens experience can be associated with the onset of significant health problems.   We’ve published almost 700 articles related to adolescent health since 2007. These articles have been cited more than 19,000 times.

Aging

For much of the past century, the average life expectancy in the United States has increased dramatically. That, combined with the aging of the baby-boom generation, accounts for the growing number of elderly Americans, which now make up an unprecedented percentage of our population. Since 2007, we’ve published nearly 1,600 articles related to aging.

Breast cancer

One in 8 American women will develop breast disease during their lifetimes. Breast cancer accounts for about 41,000 deaths in the United States every year. Since 2007, our scientists have published over 600 articles related to risk, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment monitoring of breast cancer.

Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease, or heart disease, is responsible for more than 700,000 deaths in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We’ve published over 1,800 articles on this topic since 2007, which together have been cited more than 92,000 times.

Colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Our research estimates that more than half of these deaths are due to non-screening. We’ve contributed substantially to the evidence base on strategies to increase screening and many other topics of related research.

Diabetes

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that nearly 1 in 10 people in the United States are living with diabetes. An additional 1 in 3 U.S. adults have prediabetes. We’ve published more than 840 articles related to this topic since 2007.

HIV/AIDS

Kaiser Permanente is among the largest providers of HIV care in the United States. Our research has informed policy and practice and helped people live longer, healthier lives.

Maternal and child health

Although most babies are healthy and born without complications, pregnancy carries risks for both mothers and infants. High-quality prenatal care helps keep mothers and babies healthy. We’ve published nearly 1,700 articles on the topic since 2007.

Men's health

Men in the United States are at risk for a variety of acute and chronic health problems. Our research scientists have published more than 400 articles related to men’s health since 2007. These articles have been cited almost 12,000 times.

Mental health

Mental health is an essential part of total well-being. We’ve published more than 900 articles on the topic of mental health, including depression, anxiety, and other affective and stress disorders, since 2007. 

Obesity

Obesity is a common but serious health condition that affects more than 2 out of every 5 U.S. adults. Our researchers have published more than 680 articles related to obesity since 2007. Together, these articles have been cited 37,000 times.

Substance-use disorders

Drug and alcohol addiction, also called substance-use disorder, impacts millions of people in the United States. Since 2007, we’ve published 692 articles on this topic, which have been cited more than 18,500 times.

Vaccines

In addition to the direct effect of immunizing patients against dangerous diseases, vaccination also benefits society through “herd immunity.” Herd immunity happens when high vaccination rates help protect even unvaccinated people by making encounters with infected people rare. Our research has directly influenced national vaccines policies.