Child & Adolescent Health

Research overview

Babies, children, and teens have specific health needs. Research at Kaiser Permanente Washington covers family health from pregnancy through childhood and early adulthood.

“Healthy childhood habits can lead to a healthier adulthood,” says Paula Lozano, MD, MPH, a senior investigator at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) and assistant medical director for preventive care at Kaiser Permanente Washington. “So we’re working with families, helping them make healthy eating, exercise, and preventive care part of their busy daily lives.” Dr. Lozano also focuses on meeting the health needs of disadvantaged youth and communicating health information effectively to all families, regardless of their primary language and cultural background.

KPWHRI research topics in child and adolescent health include:

• Systems of care for children with chronic conditions.
• Weight management approaches for children with obesity.
• Drug safety during pregnancy.
• Addressing disparities in asthma care.
• Disease prevention through vaccines.
• Adolescent depression.
• Preventing family and teen smoking.

"Children are not just miniature adults,” says David C. Grossman, MD, MPH, KPWHRI senior investigator and Kaiser Permanente Washington medical director for population & purchaser strategy. “We’re studying how best to meet to their unique health needs, especially how to encourage healthy behavior during childhood and adolescence."