Kara Gavin
Research and Policy Media Relations Manager

Gavin draws on more than 25 years of experience in communicating about science, medicine and health policy. She focuses mainly on the health services research done by members of the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, who work to understand and improve the safety, quality, equity and affordability of health care. As part of the Michigan Medicine communication team, she has lead responsibility for primary care and mental health topics. Contact: [email protected]; Twitter: @Karag

Kara Gavin photo
woman holding pole in bathroom with patient gown on
Health Lab
Older adults vary widely in preparing to “age in place”
Aging in place, or staying in your own home as you grow older, is key goal for many older adults, but a poll shows wide variation in what people over 65 are doing to prepare.
Health Lab
Heat wave survival tips from an emergency physician
How to avoid or recognize heat exhaustion or heat stroke, what groups of people are most at risk of these heat-related illnesses, and heat wave power outage tips
Patient at desk drinking a fluid
Health Lab
5 hot weather tips that could save an older adult’s life
Health professionals offer five tips to help older adults stay safe and healthy during excessive heat wave.
Collage woman pink face confetti and mind
Health Lab
When reality fails: What to know about psychosis
Delusions, hearing voices, hallucinations, and other symptoms of psychosis can be treated and the earlier treatment begins, the better
Photo of first medical building
News Release
Medical School recognized for preserving history
The U-M Medical School's celebration of its 175th anniversary and preservation of a historic structure has been recognized by the Ann Arbor Historic District Commission
older women close up and blurred out by faces with an exit sign far away in red background and white writing
Health Lab
What makes someone leave a Medicare Advantage plan?
Medicare Advantage plans are the health insurance for half of all older adults; a study looks at what makes someone leave a plan or leave Medicare Advantage for traditional Medicare
doctor at desk computer stressed and emails floating all in the air
Health Lab
What will it take to reduce primary care doctor burnout?
Primary care doctors are burning out in part because of the flood patient portal messages they receive. New research shows female doctors are most affected, and points to ways to reduce burden.
close up on person looking at bottle of pills with water in background
Health Lab
More young adults than ever take HIV-prevention medication, but gaps remain
The use of PrEP (treatment that can protect someone from acquiring HIV) has risen in young adults but gaps still remain, a study finds.
yellow dices with different emotional faces on each side
Health Lab
Could personality tests help make bipolar disorder treatment more precise? 
Bipolar disorder treatment could become more precisely focused if guided by the results of personality tests that reveal personality styles, or combinations of personality traits.
girl hugging teddy bear with alcohol bottles on ground
Health Lab
1 in 4 kids live with parents who have alcohol or other drug problems
Children living with parents who have addiction issues, also called substance used disorder, have higher risks later in life. A new study shows 1 in 4 currently live in such households.
2025 blocks with stethoscope
Health Lab
Top 10 things to know about your health costs right now
From Medicare prescription costs and medical debt rules to actions that the Supreme Court, Congress and President Trump have taken or could take, a guide to health policies that affect many people.
american flag with stethoscope on it
Health Lab
What does Medicaid do?
Medicaid provides health insurance coverage for tens of millions of American children and adults. Research on its impact shows positive effects in many ways.
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Health Lab
Medicaid unwinding linked to opioid addiction treatment disruptions
Buprenorphine prescription interruptions were most common in states that had the biggest coverage drops during Medicaid unwinding; study has importance for future Medicaid policy.
woman looking at orange empty pill bottles with daughter on couch
Health Lab
Medicaid unwinding disrupted young people’s access to chronic disease medicines
Children and young adults living in the states with the highest Medicaid enrollment drops during the “unwinding” process were more likely to have disruptions in mental health, asthma and epilepsy medication.
Health Lab
Poll reveals short term thinking about long term care 
Poll of people over 50 shows most haven’t signed legal documents, discussed their wishes with family or friends, or done other things to plan for long term care needs.
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