Jennifer McClure, PhD,
Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute Director of Research, Faculty, & Development
From decisions about diet and exercise to medication use and smoking, your behavior influences your health. Indeed, if you’re like most people, your health depends more on what you do every day than on what your health care provider can do for you.
But changing behavior can be challenging, especially in the long run. That’s why Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) researchers are helping providers support people in making healthy lifestyle choices.
“Changing unhealthy habits or breaking an addiction can be very difficult,” says Jennifer B. McClure, PhD, KPWHRI senior investigator and director of research, faculty, & development. “Our goal is to make these changes easier for people, so they can live longer and healthier lives. As scientists and clinicians, we want to empower people to take control of their health and well-being. We also want to change the health care system to better support patients’ needs. Ultimately, our aim is to prevent disease, not just treat it.”
KPWHRI’s behavioral medicine research includes:
”Historically our work has tested new forms of counseling, phone-based coaching, and self-help materials,” says Dr. McClure. “With the rise in use of smartphones, we are focusing more on developing mobile Health (mHealth) tools, like smartphone apps, and other technology-based strategies to help people set and achieve their health goals. It’s an exciting time to be a researcher in this field.”
“Our goal in behavioral medicine research is to help patients develop lifelong habits that keep them healthy,” says Senior Investigator Katharine A. Bradley, MD, MPH, who studies alcohol misuse.
McClure JB, Bush T, Anderson ML, Blasi P, Thompson E, Nelson J, Catz SL. Oral Health Promotion and Smoking Cessation Program Delivered via Tobacco Quitlines: The Oral Health 4 Life Trial. Am J Public Health. 2018;108(5):689-695. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2017.304279. Epub 2018 Mar 22. PubMed
Frost MC, Kuo ES, Harner LT, Landau KR, Baldassar K. Increase in physical activity sustained one year after playground intervention. Am J Prev Med. Volume 54, Issue 5, S124-S129. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2018.01.006.
Dublin S, Von Korff M. Prescription Opioids and Infection Risk: Research and Caution Needed. Ann Intern Med. 2018;168(6):444-445. doi: 10.7326/M18-0001. Epub 2018 Feb 13. PubMed
McClure JB, Anderson ML. Evaluation of a population-level strategy to promote tobacco treatment use among insured smokers: a pragmatic, randomized trial. BMC Public Health. 2018;18(1):228. doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5119-0. PubMed
Heffner JL, Watson NL, McClure JB, Anthenelli RM, Hohl S, Bricker JB. "I Smoke Like This to Suppress These Issues That Are Flaws of My Character": Challenges and Facilitators of Cessation Among Smokers With Bipolar Disorder. J Dual Diagn. 2018 Jan 19:1-8. doi: 10.1080/15504263.2017.1390278 [Epub ahead of print] PubMed
 Katharine A. Bradley, MD, MPHSenior Investigator |
 Paula Lozano, MD, MPHSr Investigator, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute; Associate Medical Director for Research and Translation & Physician, Pediatrics, Washington Permanente Medical Group |
 Jennifer B. McClure, PhDDirector of Research, Faculty, & Development; Senior Investigator |
 Dori E. Rosenberg, PhD, MPHAssistant Investigator |
 Elizabeth H. Lin, MD, MPHAdjunct Researcher, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute; Physician, Washington Permanente Medical Group |
 James D. Ralston, MD, MPHSenior Investigator |
 Michael R. Von Korff, ScDSenior Investigator |
 Evette J. Ludman, PhDSenior Research Associate |
 Nora Henrikson, PhD, MPHResearch Associate |
 Judith Schaefer, MPHResearch Associate |
 Ben Balderson, PhDResearch Associate |
 Gwen Lapham, PhD, MPH, MSWResearch Associate |
 Melissa L. Anderson, MSSenior Biostatistician |
 Nicole Van Borkulo, M EdResearch Associate |
 Paula R. Blasi, MPHResearch Associate |
 Leah Tuzzio, MPHResearch Associate |
 Cara C. Lewis, PhD, HSPPAssociate Investigator |
 Joseph E. Glass, PhDAssistant Scientific Investigator |
 Amy K. Lee, MPHResearch Associate |
 Beverly B. Green, MD, MPHAssociate Investigator |
 Julie E. Richards, MPHResearch Associate II |
 Lynn DeBar, PhDSenior Investigator |
Sheryl L. Catz, PhD
Professor, Health Care Innovation and Technology, Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing
University of California–Davis
Elizabeth Lin, MD, MPH
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington Family Practice;
Kaiser Permanente Washington Research Institute
Sue McCurry, PhD
University of Washington (UW) Department of Psychosocial and Community Health
Emily Williams, PhD, MPH
UW Department of Health Services; VA Health Services Research & Development Center of Excellence
Dr. Jennifer McClure reflects on using personalized genetic knowledge to improve health and health care.
Read about it in Healthy Findings.
Clinicians and staff at Tacoma South describe the many ways Behavioral Health Integration is making a difference for patients
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Dr. Jennifer McClure partnered with the leading quitline provider to see what happens when smokers are counseled about oral health and tobacco.
Read it in Healthy Findings.
Routinely asking about cannabis use can better serve patients by helping clinicians start conversations about risks and benefits.
Read it in News and Events.
Washington News Service, Nov. 16, 2017
Dr. Joe Glass wants to make treatment more comfortable for patients and providers—possibly with digital tools.
Read about it in News and Events.
A science journalist living with addiction says it may be a learning disorder. Virginia Immanuel reviews Maia Szalavitz’ book about comprehensive addiction solutions.
Read it in Healthy Findings.
