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
Health Lab
What has the pandemic taught us about public health?
Joneigh Khaldun led pandemic response for Michigan; she reflects on how public health partnerships, messaging and budgets affected outcomes.
Health Lab
What drives racial and ethnic gaps in Medicare’s quality program?
Study points to role of primary care received outside an Accountable Care Organization’s network, and the importance of coordination and access
Health Lab
Most adults want to ‘age in place’ but many haven’t taken steps to do so
Most older Americans want to remain in their home as they age, but a new National Poll on Healthy Aging shows many haven’t taken steps to improve safety, reduce fall risks or get help from others.
Health Lab
Half of older adults now die with a dementia diagnosis
More awareness and more detailed health records may explain rise; end-of-life care shifting as diagnoses allow for more advance planning.
Collections
Generous gift from LSO founder and wife makes the orchestra’s future bright
Michael DiPietro, M.D., and his wife Alice Fishman have helped ensure that the LSO will endure far into the future, with a generous gift that helps create an endowment for the orchestra.
Health Lab
Medicaid community health workers have positive impact on care
Rigorous evaluation of real-world program shows emergency care and costs went down, while outpatient care went up, among low-income Detroit residents who connected with a CHW.
News Release
Spring into action to address food insecurity in our community
Two years ago this month, the U-M and local communities stepped up to help neighbors in need in the first weeks of the pandemic, by giving healthy food and essential supplies through a Michigan Medicine donation drive for Food Gatherers.
Health Lab
COVID-19 isn’t over. How do we navigate life now?
As the world transitions to the “endemic” phase of this pandemic, experts address what individuals, leaders and researchers should do.
Health Lab
Health care costs add up in months after COVID-19 hospital stay, study finds
Even when insurance companies were waiving COVID-19 hospitalization charges, 10% of patients faced $2,000 or more in costs within 6 months of leaving the hospital.
Health Lab
Working together to improve college mental health
Depression, bipolar disorder and other mental illness is common among college and graduate school students. An annual meeting helps campus leaders adopt best practices.
Health Lab
History doesn’t repeat, but it rhymes
Medical historians reflect on lessons from the “Spanish flu” influenza pandemic at the end of World War I and two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health Lab
Older adults voice concerns about going to the operating room
As older adults reschedule elective surgery delayed or cancelled by the pandemic, a new poll shows many have concerns not just about COVID-19 but also about pain, caregiving and cost.
Health Lab
Even at top hospitals, low-income older cancer patients struggle after surgery
Unequal outcomes, and higher spending, seen in patients over 65 who are “dual eligible” for Medicare and Medicaid.
Health Lab
Stressed by what’s going on in Ukraine? How to cope – and help
News from Ukraine, including the potential nuclear threat from Russia, can be distressing. Tips for coping with the mental health impacts and donating to support relief for refugees both abroad and at home.
Health Lab
An unsung linchpin of pandemic care
Primary care’s role in managing COVID-19 patients, and the rapid evolution of telehealth, sets the stage for a different future.
