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
Too Many COVID-19 Patients Get Unneeded “Just in Case” Antibiotics
A new study shows the need for faster in-hospital testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) and other bacterial infections, which could reduce overuse of antibiotics.
Health Lab
Mail Delays May Affect Medication Supply for Nearly 1 in 4 Americans Over 50
Data from National Poll on Healthy Aging show reliance on delivery of medications, often because of insurance requirements.
Health Lab
Primary Care at a Crossroads: Experts Call for Change
Even before COVID-19 struck, general practitioners faced unsustainable demands; the pandemic offers a chance to change.
Health Lab
These Drugs Carry Risks and May Not Help, But Many Dementia Patients Get Them Anyway
From opioids and antipsychotics to antidepressants and anxiety medicines, study looks at prescriptions among community-dwelling older adults with dementia.
Health Lab
Telehealth Visits Skyrocket for Older Adults, but Concerns and Barriers Remain
Telehealth visits by older adults increased dramatically during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet some adults still have concerns about telemedicine and some face barriers.
Health Lab
Many Medical “Rainy Day” Accounts Aren’t Getting Opened or Filled, Study Finds
People with high-deductible health plans aren’t using health savings account option as intended.
News Release
“Among the finest hospitals in the country”: The University Hospital of 1925
The University Hospital that served as U-M's main inpatient facility from 1925 to 1986 was an architectural marvel and drew patients from far and wide.
Health Lab
Convalescent Plasma and COVID-19: Hope, Blood and Chance
Convalescent plasma has shown promise against COVID-19, but new research will try to prove if it really works.
Health Lab
Outside Looking In: Hospital Visitor Rules Vary During Pandemic
Lessons from early peak state of Michigan could inform hospitals in other areas.
News Release
Who was that? The people behind the names of Michigan Medicine places and more
History is all around us on the main Michigan Medicine campus. Which isn’t surprising, given that our Medical School opened in 1850 and our first hospital admitted its first patients in late 1869 -- the first university-owned hospital in the country.
News Release
Michigan Medicine and three other medical centers receive $7 million for COVID-19 outpatient convalescent plasma therapy trial
A team of Michigan Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Medical University of South Carolina and Stanford Medicine researchers were recently awarded funds from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)(link is external) in collaboration with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), totaling more than $7 million to collaboratively study the role of convalescent plasma in mitigating symptoms of COVID-19 in patients with mild illness and preventing the progression of the disease from mild to severe.
News Release
Patients in two new Michigan Medicine programs can avoid days in hospital while getting advanced care
Two new programs that harness advanced technology and the expertise of Michigan Medicine’s care teams could help patients avoid or shorten a hospital stay, while still getting the care they need.
Health Lab
Even the Richest Americans Lag Behind the English on Health, Study Finds
Health disparities by income are stark among Americans, but also between Americans and English people of the same income level, according to a longitudinal study
Health Lab
Drug That Calms ‘Cytokine Storm’ Associated with 45% Lower Risk of Dying among COVID-19 Patients on Ventilators
Critically ill COVID-19 patients on ventilators who got tocilizumab in an observational study were 45% less likely to die.
Health Lab
Most Adults Say They’ve Experienced Ageism, But Majority Still Hold Positive Attitudes Toward Aging
Ageism is a common experience, a new poll of older adults finds, but many people over 50 have a positive attitude toward aging.
