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
Health Lab
Serotonin’s precise role in depression is getting attention but SSRIs work for many, and basic neuroscience research goes far beyond ‘chemical imbalances.’
News Release
On June 30, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan State Legislature demonstrated a continued commitment to youth mental health by including $50 million for TRAILS (Transforming Research into Action to Improve the Lives of Students) in the budget for fiscal year 2023.
Health Lab
Most older adults take multiple drugs but 80% haven’t had a medication review to check safety and potential savings, and 83% them don’t realize it may be covered by insurance.
Health Lab
Even at age 9 or 10, as many as 10% of children are curious about using substances, and many parents haven’t made specific rules or say kids’ access at home would be easy.
Health Lab
Tonsillectomy pain is often treated with opioids, but leftovers can be a risk factor for misuse or abuse. Reducing the default prescription size in hospital computer systems could help right-size pain control.
Health Lab
Preliminary report of data shows steady level of virtual visits substituting for in-person visits.
Health Lab
Generic anti-seizure drugs’ costs went down during the same time, study shows
Health Lab
Nearly all older adults have experienced some forms of “everyday ageism,” but those with more health concerns had higher rates
Health Lab
Vaccine incentives have been used to encourage COVID-19 vaccination and could be used in other immunization campaigns. A study looks at youth attitudes.
Health Lab
Delusions, hearing voices, hallucinations, and other symptoms of psychosis can be treated and the earlier treatment begins, the better
Health Lab
Telehealth between providers and patients in different states: Medicare data show impact of temporary pandemic telemedicine rules.
Health Lab
Hundreds of thousands of surgical and dental opioid prescriptions are filled a month or more after writing, but one state’s law helped reduce this “delayed dispensing”.
Health Lab
A poll shows strong support for clinics’ efforts to screen for, and providing support for, social determinants of health.
Health Lab
The VA’s efforts to reduce use of risky antipsychotic medications in its nursing homes succeeded – but use of other medications with less evidence behind them rose.
Health Lab
Although obesity is now known to be a chronic disease that often doesn’t respond to diet and exercise alone, many people with obesity don’t have access to weight loss drugs and operations.
