WOMEN’S HEALTH (also see Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, Health Services)

Division of Research – Research Scientist: Joan Lo, MD
Primary Source of Funding: Novartis Foundation
Description: Investigate the adherence and continuation rates for osteoporosis therapies within KPNC with a primary focus on weekly alendronate therapy, the first osteoporosis drug of choice for the health plan, to determine the patient-related characteristics of those continuing vs. not continuing alendronate therapy, and to determine the proportion of individuals with acid-related disorders prior to and after initiation of bisphosphonate (alendronate) therapy

Division of Research Principal Investigator: Bette Caan, DrPH
Primary Source of Funding: National Institute of Health
Description: This study will test the hypothesis that adoption of a low-fat dietary pattern (20%) of calories from fat and increased fruit and vegetable intake is associated with reduced risk of proliferative forms of benign breast disease (BBD), and explore the hypotheses that calcium/vitamin D (CaD) supplementation is associated with reduced risk and that use of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) or combined estrogen/progestogen therapy (PERT) is associated with increased risk of these conditions.

Division of Research Principal Investigator: Laurel Habel, PhD
Primary Source of Funding: Berlex Labs
Description: Measure the effect of ultra low dose estradio (Menostar) compared to placebo on change in breast density.

Primary Source of Funding: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/NIH/DHHS
Description: To assess the effect of hormone replacement therapy, dietary modification, calcium and vitamin D supplementation on coronary heart disease, breast and colorectal cancers, osteoporotic fractures, and total mortality.

Division of Research Principal Investigator: Barbara Sternfeld, PhD
Primary Source of Funding: American Heart Association
Description: This study will examine whether physical activity can prevent or attenuate the changes in body composition and resting metabolic rate that occur in midlife women as a result of aging and/or hormonal change.

Division of Research Principal Investigator: Steven Van Den Eeden, PhD
Primary Source of Funding: National Institutes of Health
Description: This study will gather epidemiological information on pelvic organ prolapse.

Division of Research Principal Investigator: Stephen Van Den Eeden, PhD
Primary Source of Funding: National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases
Description: This is a study to investigate the role of diabetes in incontinence among women members of Kaiser Permanente as part of the UCSF/Division of Research investigations under the Specialized Centers of Research (SCOR) in Women's Health.

Division of Research Principal Investigator: Stephen Van Den Eeden PhD
Primary Source of Funding: National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases
Description: The Biostatistical Core will provide biometric and analytic support to investigators of the USCF/Division of Research investigations included in the SCOR projects.

Division of Research Principal Investigator: Stephen Van Den Eeden PhD
Primary Source of Funding: National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases
Description: This research will follow-up an existing cohort of 2,100 women members of Kaiser Permanente who took part in the Reproductive Risks for urinary Incontinence in Kaiser (RRISK) study. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence, and prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) and to determine what factors contribute to the progression of UI.

Division of Research Principal Investigator: Barbara Sternfeld, PhD
Primary Source of Funding: National Institute on Aging/NIH/DHHS
Description: This is an ancillary study on sleep; it is an expansion of the collaboration on the “Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)”.

Division of Research Principal Investigator: Barbara Sternfeld, PhD
Primary Source of Funding: National Institute on Aging
Description: This multisite study will follow a large, multiethnic sample of premenopausal women through the menopausal transition in order to investigate the influence of biological and social/cultural factors on age at menopause, symptoms of menopause, and change in disease risk factor status.

Division of Research Principal Investigator: Mary Anne Armstrong, MA
Primary Source of Funding: Women’s Fund for Health Education and Research
Description: Impact of minimally invasive surgical procedures on hysterectomy rates for the treatment of uterine fibroids

Division of Research Principal Investigator: Stephen K. Van Den Eeden, PhD
Primary Source of Funding: National Institute of Health
Description: This research will follow-up a existing cohort of women who took part in the Reproductive Risks of Incontinence in Kaiser (PRISK) study, determining the incidence, and prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) and determining which factors contribute to the progression of UI.

Division of Research Principal Investigator: Bette J. Caan, DrPH
Primary Source of Funding: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Description: The objectives of this clinical trial study are to assess the effect of hormone replacement therapy, dietary modification, calcium, and vitamin D supplementation on coronary heart disease, breast and colorectal cancers, osteoporotic fractures, and total mortality. The objectives of the observational study are to evaluate risk factors and biomarkers for these and other important disease outcomes for women in their postmenopausal years and to provide information complementary to that obtained from the clinical trial.

Division of Research Principal Investigator: Bette J. Caan, DrPH
Primary Source of Funding:
Description: This project will test the hypothesis that adoption of a low-fat dietary pattern (20% of calories from fat and increased fruit and vegetable intake) is associated with reduced risk of proliferative forms of benign breast disease (BBD), and to explore the hypotheses that calcium/vitamin D (CaD) supplementation is associated with reduced risk and that use of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) or combined estrogen/progestogen therapy (PERT) is associated with increased risk of these conditions.

Division of Research Principal Investigator: Bette J. Caan, DrPH
Primary Source of Funding: National Cancer Institute
Description: This study examines the effect of hormone replacement therapy on progression to Alzheimer’s disease.