Established in 1961, the Division of Research is internationally respected for research that transforms health. Our research scientists discover the key drivers of both health and disease and identify effective and efficient ways to deliver health care. New areas of inquiry include the role of genes and the environment in health, the use of health informatics, how to manage chronic conditions, and implementation science to enhance specialty care.

Research scientists at our Department of Research & Evaluation conduct research with real-world implications and translate findings into practice. They build scientific expertise in new research areas, including health-services and implementation science, which helps us understand how to provide better care for members and the communities they come from, so we can bridge the gap between research and practice.

Research scientists at our Institute for Health Research partner with members, clinicians, fellow researchers, and local and national organizations to improve quality of life and reduce health disparities through patient, community, and policy-centered research. The institute’s researchers study innovative technologies to enhance the impact and sustainability of evidence-based health care. Their findings can be translated into clinical practice, health promotion, and policies to influence the health of individuals and populations.

At the Center for Research and Evaluation, established in 1998, our research scientists focus on projects and clinical trials that help improve the health of all Georgians. Frequently studied topics include ways to help people maintain a healthy weight, exercise more, quit smoking, control chronic pain, and manage chronic disease. Implementation science — studying and testing ways to ensure that effective practices and programs are used in health care — is also a core area of focus.

Our research scientists at the Center for Integrated Health Care Research specifically address the health issues of the local population, which disproportionately experience several chronic diseases, primarily diabetes and heart disease. The center’s research focuses on chronic disease prevention and epidemiology, as well as health technology and care delivery research.

Established in 2000, the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute strives to advance medical knowledge and improve care quality and the health of our patients and everyone in our communities by conducting innovative scientific and clinical research. Research scientists at the institute conduct patient-focused research, with major areas of study being infectious diseases, cardiovascular and metabolic systems, oncology, and health informatics.

The Center for Health Research, established in 1964, has been a leader in the field of health research. Frequently studied topics at the center include cancer, diabetes, obesity, health disparities, mental health, maternal and child health, evidence-based medicine and policy, health services improvement, health economics, genetics, and oral health (in collaboration with Kaiser Permanente’s dental program in the Northwest).

In 1983, the Health Research Institute began conducting nonproprietary public-interest research on preventing, diagnosing, and treating major health problems. Its mission is to improve health and health care for everyone through leading-edge research, innovation, and dissemination. Government and private research grants provide the institute’s main funding.

The curriculum at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine is built on 3 pillars: biomedical science, clinical science, and health systems science. Students are required to complete a scholarly project as part of their graduation requirements and may conduct it in a variety of areas, including health services research, quality improvement, community health, medical education research, biomedical sciences, and clinical sciences.