How We Use the Survey Findings
Over the years, Kaiser Permanente researchers, our research partners, and health organizations and planning agencies in the communities we serve have used the survey data to learn more about a great breadth of health-related subjects, including:
- Changes in health, behavioral health, and social risks over time
- Racial/ethnic and other demographic differences in health conditions and behavioral health risks
- Behaviors and conditions known to increase the risk of chronic or acute illness
- Health problems associated with obesity and the cost of providing health care for obese and non-obese people
- Health problems, health care utilization, demographic characteristics, and health-related characteristics associated with different levels of alcohol consumption
- Smoking cessation and associated health care costs
- Cigarette and alcohol use among gays, lesbians, and bisexuals
- Problems affecting the quality of life of seniors
- Patterns of complementary and integrative health (CIH) use and how usage has changed over time
- Exploration of the accuracy of self-report about health conditions and preventive health service utilization
- Demographic factors in access to a computer, the Internet, and email and changes over time
- Preferred methods for receiving information to improve health and well-being
Survey results have contributed to research and program development in areas such as:
- Complementary and integrative health education and services
- Health education tools and services
- Demographic disparities in health, health-related behaviors, and Internet access
