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KPWHRI in the Media 2023

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News media often cover Kaiser Permanente Washington research.
Here are selected mentions.

 

2023

DECEMBER 1–31

Informed use of machine learning tools

A presentation by Associate Biostatistics Investigator Yates Coley, PhD, gave guidance on how to evaluate artificial intelligence tools and make informed decisions about using them in a clinical setting.

Home tests increase cervical cancer screening rates

Read the story.

A collaborative study with the University of Washington, led by Affiliate Investigator Rachel Winer, PhD, MPH, and Senior Investigator Beverly Green, MD, MPH, found that mailing home testing kits for the human papillomavirus (HPV) directly to patients significantly increased cervical cancer screening rates.

Julie Angerhofer Richards profiled for PSBJ award

Assistant Investigator Julie Angerhofer Richards, PhD, MPH, answered questions for the Puget Sound Business Journal about her research and involvement in the community after winning a Researcher of the Year award.

Understanding the link between hearing loss and dementia

Read the story.

A study led by Senior Investigator Linda McEvoy, PhD, looked at changes in the brain associated with hearing impairment in order to better understand whether preventing hearing loss could reduce the risk of dementia.

November 1–30

Home tests increase cervical cancer screening rates

Read the story.

A collaborative study with the University of Washington, led by Affiliate Investigator Rachel Winer, PhD, MPH, and Senior Investigator Beverly Green, MD, MPH, found that mailing home testing kits for the human papillomavirus (HPV) directly to patients significantly increased cervical cancer screening rates.

Understanding the link between hearing loss and dementia

Read the story.

A study led by Senior Investigator Linda McEvoy, PhD, looked at changes in the brain associated with hearing impairment in order to better understand whether preventing hearing loss could reduce the risk of dementia.

A promising strategy for delaying or preventing memory loss

The systematic multi-domain Alzheimer’s risk reduction trial, or SMARRT, tested a personalized coaching intervention with participants at Kaiser Permanente Washington, targeting risk factors for dementia. The study found that the intervention improved cognitive performance, as well as measurements of quality of life.

October 1–31

Increasing medication treatment for opioid use disorder

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The PRimary Care Opioid Use Disorder treatment (PROUD) trial, led by Collaborative Scientist Paige Wartko, PhD, MPH, and Senior Investigator Kathy Bradley, MD, MPH, showed that an intervention tested in 12 primary care clinics across 6 health care systems significantly increased medication treatment for opioid use disorder, although the benefit was uneven across sites and patient populations.

Breast cancer survivorship and patient perspectives

Senior Investigator Karen Wernli, PhD, appeared on the Manta Cares podcast to discuss her research on breast cancer and the importance of including patient voices.

September 1-30

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. Researchers also found that medical cannabis use was associated with a lower risk of moderate to severe cannabis use disorder than recreational use.

August 1–31

Frequency of cannabis use disorder in a state with legal use

Read the story.

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.

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.

Drug-resistant E. coli rises despite drop in ciprofloxacin use

Read the story.

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.

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

Read the editorial.

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.

Substance use checklist effective in primary care

Read the story.

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.

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.

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.

Better care for patients who drink alcohol

Read the story.

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.

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.

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.

Simpler models for predicting suicide risk work comparably to more complex ones

Read the story.

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.

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.

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.

Home self-sampling kits for cervical cancer screening are cost-effective

Read the story.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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For more on Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute news, please contact:

Amelia Apfel

Amelia.X.Apfel@kp.org

(425) 507-5455
After-hours media line: (206) 287-2055

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