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
First-time opioid prescriptions got shorter, less potent after CDC guidelines
Doctors prescribed smaller and shorter courses of opioid pain medications like Oxycontin, Oxycodone, Vicodin after the 2016 CDC opioid prescribing guidelines.
Health Lab
How can nursing homes protect residents from infection? Follow the research
Nursing home residents were hit hard by COVID-19, but other infections threaten their health too including superbugs known as MDROs, and urinary tract infections.
Health Lab
What does the future hold for telehealth? New report gives hints
Telehealth including video visits, e-Visits and other telemedicine have ramped up rapidly during the pandemic. New data could shape future use.
Health Lab
The pandemic may have increased older adults’ fall risk
Falls are a major cause of injury to older adults but the pandemic led to a drop in physical condition and increase in fear of falling that could increase risk of injury.
Health Lab
A game-changer for mental health: Sports icons open up
Olympic sports stars speaking up about depression, anxiety and mental health challenges, reducing stigma and helping younger athletes know how and when to seek help.
Health Lab
Study suggests need to screen older adults for mental health symptoms as pandemic continues
Living through COVID-19 era has tested the mental resiliency of many older Americans; some groups appear more affected than others.
Health Lab
From birth control to mammograms, many women missed out on preventive care for all of 2020
The pandemic made many women miss cancer screenings, STI screenings and birth control care in early 2020, and many never made up for lost time.
Health Lab
10 reasons to put the COVID-19 vaccine on your back-to-school list
Starting the COVID-19 vaccination process in July and August can prepare teens and young adults for a safe school year and protect children who can’t be vaccinated.
Health Lab
“Springing forward” affects early birds less than night owls, study finds
Daylight Saving Time shift that loses an hour of sleep affects people whose genetic profile makes them “night owls” more than it does “early birds”.
Health Lab
Serious fireworks injuries doubled after Michigan law changed
Firework laws in Michigan changed in 2012 to allow purchase and use of airborne pyrotechnics; traumatic injuries from them doubled.
Health Lab
What happens when preventive care becomes free to patients?
Preventive services such as mammograms, birth control, immunizations and colonoscopy have no out-of-pocket costs under the Affordable Care Act.
Health Lab
One-third of older Americans delayed health care over COVID concerns
Worries about getting exposed to coronavirus in health care settings has led older adults to delay care during the pandemic.
Health Lab
Teamwork saves lives: COVID-19 hospital network shares key lessons to improve care
Hospitals across Michigan pooled COVID-19 patient data to reduce variation and improve outcomes in care, including antibiotic use, mortality risk prediction and VTE prophylaxis.
Health Lab
Many surgery patients get opioid prescriptions, but many don’t need to, study suggests
Opioid pain medication carries risks
Health Lab
Poll finds risky drinking patterns in older adults during pandemic
Pandemic alcohol use has gotten a lot of attention but new poll data show problematic drinking by many older adults.
