Author Interviews, Diabetes, Technology / 07.06.2026
ADA26: Machine Learning Predicts Type 2 Diabetes Risk Across 3 Million Adults: New Findings from Kaiser Permanente
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_74111" align="alignleft" width="92"]
Dr. Rodriguez[/caption]
Luis A. Rodriguez, PhD, MPH, RD
Research Scientist, Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research
Assistant Professor, Department of Health System Sciences
Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
Assistant Adjunct Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics
University of California, San Francisco
ADA 2026 Poster Presentation: Machine-Learning Modeling for T2DM Prediction in over 3 Million Adults
American Diabetes Association 85th Scientific Sessions, June 2026
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the risk factors used to develop the prediction model? Response: Type 2 diabetes develops gradually over many years, often without clear warning signs. As a result, it can be difficult for health systems to identify which adults are most likely to benefit from prevention efforts before the disease develops. In this study, we used electronic health record data from more than 3 million adults in Kaiser Permanente Northern California to develop a prediction model that estimates an individual's risk of developing type 2 diabetes over 1, 3, and 10 years. The model is based on information routinely collected during clinical care, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index, blood glucose levels, smoking, physical activity, medical and family history, and medication use. By combining these clinical, biological and behavioral factors, the model provides a more comprehensive assessment of diabetes risk than traditional screening approaches.
Dr. Rodriguez[/caption]
Luis A. Rodriguez, PhD, MPH, RD
Research Scientist, Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research
Assistant Professor, Department of Health System Sciences
Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
Assistant Adjunct Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics
University of California, San Francisco
ADA 2026 Poster Presentation: Machine-Learning Modeling for T2DM Prediction in over 3 Million Adults
American Diabetes Association 85th Scientific Sessions, June 2026
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the risk factors used to develop the prediction model? Response: Type 2 diabetes develops gradually over many years, often without clear warning signs. As a result, it can be difficult for health systems to identify which adults are most likely to benefit from prevention efforts before the disease develops. In this study, we used electronic health record data from more than 3 million adults in Kaiser Permanente Northern California to develop a prediction model that estimates an individual's risk of developing type 2 diabetes over 1, 3, and 10 years. The model is based on information routinely collected during clinical care, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index, blood glucose levels, smoking, physical activity, medical and family history, and medication use. By combining these clinical, biological and behavioral factors, the model provides a more comprehensive assessment of diabetes risk than traditional screening approaches.
The healthcare system generates an extraordinary volume of structured data. The United States alone produces approximately 1.2 billion clinical care documents annually. Managing that volume has become one of the most significant operational challenges in modern medicine, consuming physician time at a rate that directly affects patient care quality.
AI and automation are increasingly positioned as the most scalable solution. The question is no longer whether technology will reshape clinical documentation workflows, but how rapidly health systems can implement it responsibly.










