A Kaiser Permanente study found that pre-pregnancy obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy increase the risk of a child becoming overweight at age 2. However, breastfeeding for at least six months was associated with a significant reduction in this risk, regardless of the mother's pre-pregnancy weight.
A study published in JAMA Oncology found that aromatase inhibitors, used to treat breast cancer, do not increase the risk of fatal cardiovascular events. However, women taking these drugs had a higher risk of less serious cardiovascular events, such as abnormal heartbeats and pericarditis.
Depressed teenagers who received cognitive behavioral therapy in their primary care clinic recovered faster and were more likely to recover than those without the counseling. The study found that 70% of teens in the program had recovered after six months, compared to 43% in the standard care group.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that Latina women who received 'Promotora' visits had nearly twice the screening rate of those who did not receive visits. The study showed a modest but significant increase in screening rates, with over 19% of participants completing a mammogram within a year.
Researchers from Kaiser Permanente found that flu vaccination during hospitalization does not increase the risk of emergency department visits or subsequent hospitalizations. Vaccinated patients also did not have an increased risk of fever or laboratory tests checking for infection.
A landmark study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association found significant variation in dementia incidence among six ethnic and racial groups. Researchers discovered that blacks and American Indians/Alaska Natives had the highest rates, while Asian Americans had the lowest.
A Kaiser Permanente study shows that patients who accessed their online health information and received timely alerts about potential gaps in care were more likely to receive preventive tests and screenings. The online tool enhanced the rate of preventive care by 9% for mammograms, 6% for Pap smears, and 12% for diabetes testing.
A Kaiser Permanente study found moderate protection against whooping cough during the first year after vaccination, but effectiveness dwindles to less than 9% after four years among teenagers vaccinated with newer acellular pertussis vaccine as infants and children. Targeted rounds of vaccination may be necessary for adolescents.
Researchers found that blacks, Latinos and Asians had lower risk of coronary heart disease compared to whites without diabetes or prior history of heart disease. The study suggests systematic efforts by Kaiser Permanente may help reduce racial disparities in health care.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that women diagnosed with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy are more than twice as likely to develop high blood pressure in the first year after delivery. The study highlights the importance of monitoring and controlling blood pressure not only during pregnancy, but also after delivery.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that exchanging secure emails with doctors improved overall health for 32% of patients with chronic conditions. Patients who used email as their first method of contact reported reduced phone contacts and in-person visits.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that elderly patients with end-stage renal disease who received the shingles vaccine were half as likely to develop shingles. The vaccine was most effective when given shortly after beginning dialysis, reducing the risk by nearly 70%.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that a lifestyle intervention program increased the likelihood of meeting postpartum weight goals by 45% for women with gestational diabetes. The program also boosted vigorous-intensity physical activity by an average of 15.4 minutes per week.
A large Kaiser Permanente study contradicts previous concerns that antidepressants reduce tamoxifen's effectiveness in lowering subsequent breast-cancer risk. Researchers found no increased risk of recurrence among women who took antidepressants with tamoxifen.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that breastfeeding significantly lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes. Women who exclusively or mostly breastfed for at least two months after giving birth were half as likely to develop type 2 diabetes within two years after delivery.
A pharmacy-led glycemic control program is linked to improved outcomes for surgical patients with diabetes, including fewer complications and readmissions. Patients in the program had better blood sugar control, reduced hospital readmissions, and lower medical costs.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that introducing electronic order entry and care-decision support in emergency departments led to a significant increase in the timely administration of clot-dissolving treatments for patients with acute ischemic stroke. The technology helped minimize errors while improving patient outcomes.
A study of over 6,000 Kaiser Permanente members found that 58% used chiropractic care or acupuncture for chronic pain, yet many didn't discuss it with their primary care providers. The majority of patients would share this information if asked, highlighting the need for better care coordination.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that clinicians are hesitant to prescribe naloxone, a life-saving medication for opioid overdose, due to concerns about its effects and potential risks. Despite its promise as a tool to prevent deaths, logistical challenges and clinician reluctance hinder widespread adoption.
A study of 34,157 postmenopausal women found that vitamin D and calcium supplements had no significant impact on menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and fatigue. The results suggest that these supplements may not be an effective treatment option for relieving menopausal symptoms.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that short-course oral steroids resulted in only modest improvement in function and no significant reduction in pain for patients with acute sciatica. The research suggests that oral steroid treatment may not be an effective option for this common condition.
A study found that women who breastfed their babies had a lower risk of breast cancer recurrence, with the strongest effect seen in those who breastfed for 6 months or more. The protective effect was most pronounced for tumors of specific genetic subtypes.
A new Kaiser Permanente study found that children whose mothers developed gestational diabetes by the 26th week of pregnancy had a 63% increased risk of being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. The study also found that early screening for autism in children of women with gestational diabetes may be warranted.
A new study published in Medical Care found that specific health system factors, including prescriptions with a 90-day supply and lower copayments, nearly doubled the likelihood of patients adhering to prescribed heart and diabetes medications. The study examined nearly 130,000 Kaiser Permanente members with diabetes and aged 65 or older.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that expanding blood pressure screenings to non-primary care settings can help identify more patients with high blood pressure and improve management. The study reported that patients identified with hypertension in non-primary care settings were more likely to be older, male, and non-Hispanic white.
A comprehensive, population-based regional health care management program for men with prostate cancer has led to improved outcomes. The program includes safety-net screening programs, improved surgical procedures, and enhanced drug management, resulting in lower rates of blood loss and osteoporosis-related complications.
A 12-year study by Kaiser Permanente found that common surgical procedures for precancerous cervical lesions do not decrease women's chances of becoming pregnant. In fact, women who had these procedures were more likely to become pregnant than those who did not.
A study of 115,538 older patients with diabetes found that geriatric conditions were more common than diabetic complications, but their prevalence varied little by ethnicity. The research suggests that culturally competent care is essential for addressing disparities in this population.
Researchers used spatial analysis software to identify clusters of underimmunization and vaccine refusal among Kaiser Permanente members in Northern California. Underimmunization ranged from 18% to 23% within clusters, compared to 11% outside clusters, highlighting areas with high vaccine refusal rates.
A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that the adjusted risk ratio for heart attacks among HIV-positive patients decreased from an 80% increased risk in 1996 to no increased risk in 2010-2011. The improved care and treatments led by Kaiser Permanente's early awareness of cardiovascular disease risks have result...
A 12-year study found that measles-containing vaccines have an extremely low risk of rare side effects, including neurological disorders and febrile seizures. The study monitored over 120,000 children who received the vaccines and found no increased risk of adverse outcomes.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that regular and irregular physical activity was associated with improved cardiometabolic health, including lower blood pressure and fasting glucose levels. The study examined data from over 622,000 adult members and suggested that exercise can play a key role in moderating blood sugar and blood pressure.
A study published in the American Journal of Managed Care found that automated reminders improved medication adherence by 2 percentage points, with significant reductions in cholesterol levels. The study, which included over 21,000 participants, suggests that even small changes can have a big impact on public health.
A new study found a significant increase in type 1 diabetes rates among non-Hispanic white youth, with the highest rate of increase seen in children aged 5-9. The study, based on data from over 2 million children and adolescents, suggests that these trends will continue to be monitored to identify potential causes.
A new study found that mothers with gestational diabetes and those who were overweight before pregnancy have daughters who are more likely to be obese. The research, published in Diabetes Care, suggests that behavior modifications during pregnancy may help reduce the risk of obesity in offspring.
A recent study published in JAMA Neurology found that patients treated with statins after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke were more likely to survive than those who weren't. The researchers also discovered that stopping statin treatments for these patients may carry substantial risks.
A new study found that women who are obese can limit their weight gain during pregnancy by using conventional weight loss techniques. The Healthy Moms program, which included weekly group support meetings and personalized nutrition advice, resulted in significantly less weight gain compared to a control group.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that older adults vaccinated against shingles are 42% less likely to develop the disease after undergoing chemotherapy. The vaccine also prevented hospitalizations for shingles among vaccinated patients, highlighting its importance in preventing long-term complications.
Researchers found that treating high blood pressure too aggressively can increase health risks, with patients in optimal blood pressure ranges having the lowest risk of kidney failure and death. The study suggests that ideal target blood pressure ranges need to be better understood to minimize lifestyle burden and improve safety.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that over 80% of hospitalized patients with C. diff tested positive outside the hospital or within 72 hours, suggesting community and healthcare settings play key roles in infection identification. The study's comprehensive view provides new insights into the contagious disease.
The Kaiser Permanente Southern California Outpatient Safety Net Program uses electronic health records to identify and address potential gaps in patient care, targeting issues such as medication interactions and follow-up tests. The program has shown promise in improving patient safety across various clinical conditions.
A 15-year study found that HIV-positive individuals with high CD4 cell counts had no excess risk of ischemic stroke compared to HIV-negative subjects. This suggests that maintaining immune function may protect against ischemic stroke.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that non-Hispanic white patients lost an average of 63% of their excess weight after gastric bypass surgery, compared to 59% for Hispanic and 56% for black patients. The study also showed that vertical sleeve gastrectomy patients lost similar amounts of weight across racial and ethnic groups.
A Kaiser Permanente study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that patients with small HER2+ breast cancer tumors (<0.5 cm) had a high survival rate without distant recurrence, even without treatment. For larger tumors (0.6-1 cm), the risk was slightly lower but still remained low.
Chronic kidney disease is associated with a higher risk of developing renal and urothelial cancers. A recent study found that patients with reduced glomerular filtration rates were more likely to develop these types of cancer, particularly those with severe chronic kidney disease.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that radiation treatment significantly reduced the risk of Merkel cell carcinoma recurrence, with no impact on survival rates. The study's results also showed associations between immunosuppression and advanced tumors, as well as lymph node evaluation, and worse survival outcomes.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that women with high gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels before pregnancy were twice as likely to develop gestational diabetes. The study also suggests a potential risk model to identify women who could benefit from pre-conception interventions.
Research suggests that both underweight and overweight women during pregnancy may increase the risk of their children becoming overweight. Women with normal BMI before pregnancy who gain too much or too little weight are more likely to have a child with obesity.
A study of 6,042 patients with COPD found that those who exercised 150 minutes or more per week had a 34% lower risk of readmission within 30 days. Regular physical activity was also associated with improved quality of life and reduced hospitalizations.
A new study finds that adult patients with diabetes who trust their medical provider and feel included in treatment decisions are more likely to take and maintain a newly prescribed antidepressant medication. Shared decision-making is also associated with better adherence later in the course of antidepressant treatment.