KPWHRI in the Media
News media often cover Kaiser Permanente Washington research.
Here are selected mentions.
2023
August 1–31
Frequency of cannabis use disorder in a state with legal use
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Assistant Investigator Gwen Lapham, PhD, MPH, MSW, led a new study that found cannabis use disorder was common among primary care patients in a state with legal cannabis use, and that medical cannabis use was associated with a lower risk of moderate to severe cannabis use disorder than recreational use.
- KUOW, Aug. 31
New study: 1 in 5 Washington cannabis users show signs of addiction - HealthDay, Aug. 30
1 in 5 marijuana users struggle with dependency on the drug - Seattle Times, Aug. 30
Cannabis use disorder is ‘common’ among marijuana users, study finds - CNN, Aug. 29
Cannabis use disorder is common in one state where marijuana is legal - New York Times, Aug. 29
Cannabis use disorder is ‘common’ among marijuana users, study finds - KOMO 4 News, Aug. 29
(no link)
Spotlighting an often hidden population
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Assistant Investigator Marlaine Figueroa Gray, PhD, spoke about recent research using data from the Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) Study to learn more about older adults with dementia who lack family, a population that is very rarely studied.
- Washington News Service, Aug. 31
Often hidden, research casts light on kinless adults with dementia
Drug-resistant E. coli rises despite drop in ciprofloxacin use
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Senior Investigator James Ralston, MD, MPH, contributed to a new study that found community circulation of ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli went up after a 6-year reduction in antibiotic prescriptions.
- Fox13 News, Aug. 30
Study: Drug-resistant E. coli bacteria rises despite drop in medication use
The role of art-making in medicine
Researcher Marlaine Figueroa Gray, PhD, spoke with Dennis Popeo, MD, for a live radio program about art in medicine.
- Doctor Radio, SiriusXM, Aug. 21
(no link)
JUNE 1–30
Researchers weigh in on guidelines for suicide risk screening
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Senior Investigator Gregory Simon, MD, MPH, and Senior Collaborative Scientist Julie Richards, PhD, MPH, coauthored an editorial about reframing the key questions regarding screening for suicide risk, which was published alongside new recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
- MedPage Today, June 22
Screen for depression, anxiety in most adults, USPSTF says - HCPLive, June 20
USPSTF announces new guidance for depression, anxiety screenings
Substance use checklist effective in primary care
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A study led by Collaborative Scientist Tessa Matson, PhD, MPH, found that a checklist developed at KPWHRI did well at measuring symptoms of substance use disorder in primary care.
The role of art-making in medicine
Researcher Marlaine Figueroa Gray, PhD, wrote about the role of art in supporting healing and patient well-being in hospitals.
May 1–31
Scaling the concept of learning health systems
A presentation by Senior Investigator Paula Lozano, MD, MPH, on learning health systems (LHS) and lessons learned from the response to COVID-19 was referenced in a story about the growth of centers for training LHS scientists.
- Healthcare Innovation, May 23
Learning health systems gain momentum from pandemic use cases
FDA panel discusses over-the-counter birth control pills
Senior Biostatistics Investigator Pamela Shaw, PhD, MS, participated in a U.S. Food and Drug Administration Advisory Committee focused on whether to approve Opill, a progesterone-only birth control pill, to be sold over the counter.
- New York Times, May 9
FDA advisers weigh allowing first U.S. over-the-counter birth control pill
Understanding rise in youth emergency visits for mental health
Senior Investigator Gregory Simon, MD, MPH, commented on recent findings that showed the proportion of emergency department visits for mental health reasons increased significantly over the past decade among children, adolescents, and young adults.
April 1 – 30
Finding clues to dementia and Alzheimer’s
Study participants and researchers involved with the Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) Study, including Dori Rosenberg, PhD, MPH, were featured in a story looking at the many ways ACT has helped lead the way on dementia prevention.
- Seattle Times, April 14
Tracking King County seniors (and their brains) for clues to dementia and Alzheimer’s
Better care for patients who drink alcohol
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A study co-led by Kaiser Permanente Washington practice facilitator Amy Lee, MPH, and KPWHRI researcher Jennifer Bobb, PhD, found that a new approach to integrating alcohol-related care into primary care increased screening and brief preventive counseling for unhealthy alcohol use.
- Medscape, April 25
Ask patients about their alcohol consumption, study suggests - HCPLive, April 8
Mixed results found in new alcohol use disorder prevention program
Evaluators contribute to refine outreach for colorectal cancer screening
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KPWHRI’s Center for Community Health and Evaluation independently evaluated an intervention using text messaging and fotonovelas to increase the return of home-mailed colorectal cancer screening tests, helping clinical partners refine their outreach approach.
- mHealth Times, April 20
mPulse Mobile and AltaMed research innovative approach to increasing colorectal cancer screenings
Benefits and harms of screening for skin cancer
Nora Henrikson, PhD, MPH, led a systematic review that helped inform a recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on skin cancer screening.
- The Daily News, April 18
USPSTF: Evidence lacking for screening asymptomatic patients for skin cancer
Simpler models for predicting suicide risk work comparably to more complex ones
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A new study led by Susan Shortreed, PhD, found that using more complex models for predicting suicide risk did not significantly improve performance. Simpler models are easier to explain and use in clinical settings.
- Healio Psychiatry, April 12
Q&A: Simple machine learning model predicts suicide risk well
KPWHRI to help develop drug safety tools
Researchers at KPWHRI will provide clinical expertise and consulting to a project with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Sentinel Innovation Center that aims to develop new methodology for extracting information from electronic health record data to support drug safety.
- EHR Intelligence, April 10
FDA selects Cerner Enviza to develop EHR AI tools for drug safety
March 1–31
Simpler models for predicting suicide risk work comparably to more complex ones
Read the story.
A new study led by Senior Biostatistics Investigator Susan Shortreed, PhD, found that using more complex models for predicting suicide risk did not significantly improve performance. Simpler models are easier to explain and use in clinical settings.
- Becker’s Behavioral Health, March 29
Simple algorithms can reduce suicide risk as well as complex AI - Politico Future Pulse, March 28
For effective AI, keep it simple
Home self-sampling kits for cervical cancer screening are cost-effective
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New research coauthored by KPWHRI Affiliate Investigator Rachel Winer, PhD, MPH, and Senior Investigator Beverly Green, MD, MPH, found that mailing home testing kits to patients due to receive cervical cancer screening was a cost-effective way to increase screening uptake.
- HealthDay, March 23
Mailed human papillomavirus self-sampling kits are cost-effective - Medscape, March 22
Home-based HPV cervical cancer screening ‘cost-effective’ - Healio, March 22
Mailing HPV kits effective for increasing cervical cancer screening uptake
Senior Investigator Beverly Green, MD, MPH, comments on defensive thinking patterns and health-protective behaviors
Read the commentary.
Green’s commentary in Cancer discussed interventions for decreasing defensive information processing, which research shows to be an important factor affecting whether patients complete recommended colon cancer screening.
- Medscape, March 10
Defensiveness may drive refusal for colon cancer screening
Better care for patients who drink alcohol
Read the story.
A study led by Kaiser Permanente Washington Practice Facilitator Amy Lee, MPH, and KPWHRI Associate Biostatistics Investigator Jennifer Bobb, PhD, found that a new approach to integrating alcohol-related care into primary care increased screening and brief preventive counseling for unhealthy alcohol use.
Scaling the concept of learning health systems more broadly
Senior Investigator Paula Lozano, MD, MPH, gave a presentation on learning health systems and lessons learned from the response to COVID-19.
- Healthcare Innovation, March 8
How will the learning health system concept scale more broadly?
February 1–28
Better care for patients who drink alcohol
Read the story.
A study led by Kaiser Permanente Washington practice facilitator Amy Lee, MPH, and KPWHRI researcher Jennifer Bobb, PhD, found that a new approach to integrating alcohol-related care into primary care increased screening and brief preventive counseling for unhealthy alcohol use.
- HealthDay, Feb. 28
Primary care intervention increases prevention of alcohol use disorder
Senior Investigator Beverly Green, MD, MPH, comments on defensive thinking patterns and health-protective behaviors
Read the commentary.
Green’s commentary in Cancer discussed interventions for decreasing defensive information processing, which research shows to be an important factor affecting whether patients complete recommended colon cancer screening.
- Asco Post, Feb. 7
Defensive beliefs may prevent individuals from partaking in screening for colorectal cancer - MedPage Today, Feb. 6
Patients' defensive thinking may hinder colorectal cancer screening
January 1–31
New study identifies key barriers to shared decision-making around bariatric surgery
Read the paper.
In a new study in Obesity, led by KPWHRI researcher David Arterburn, MD, MPH, multidisciplinary teams identified and prioritized barriers to shared decision-making around bariatric surgery faced by 2 health systems to help guide implementation.
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