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
Patients’ Social Factors Matter When Judging Hospitals, but New Study Suggests a Need to Measure Them Differently
Study using two databases suggests need for new measures in surgical readmission risk adjustment.
Health Lab
4 Ways to Be a Savvy News Consumer in a Pandemic
As the rush to make, share and act on COVID-19 discoveries pushes scientists, public health agencies and reporters to act fast, individuals can be responsible news consumers and sharers.
Health Lab
Cannabis in Michigan: New Report Documents Trends Before Recreational Legalization
U-M Injury Prevention Center compilation of data from state and federal sources will serve as baseline for future studies.
Health Lab
Live Chat: Getting Closer to "Normal" During COVID-19
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Health Lab
Pre-COVID-19 Poll of Older Adults Hints at Potential Impact of Pandemic on Their Eating Habits
Even before COVID-19 limited grocery shopping and restaurant meals, and impacted incomes, eating and health were intertwined for many older adults.
Health Lab
Study in Chinese Doctors Shows Mental Toll of Caring in the Time of COVID-19
A study in Chinese doctors shows the mental strain experienced by healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic.
News Release
U-M launches effort to collect blood samples from COVID-19 survivors & patients for research
The key to defeating COVID-19 might be floating in the blood of the tens of thousands of Michiganders who have recovered from the disease, and the thousands more who are still feeling its effects.
Health Lab
As Hospitals Walk Tightrope of Patient Data Sharing, One System Offers a New Balance
As more hospitals and medical centers look to share patient data and samples with industry, a new ethical framework for doing it has developed.
Health Lab
Pain Doesn’t Take a Holiday: Dental Opioids Study Points to Need for Better Prescribing
Pain from dental procedures can be managed without opioids, but a new study shows that many patients having a procedure before a weekend or holiday receive opioids.
Health Lab
COVID-19 Care is (Mostly) Free to Patients. Should Other Vital Care Be Too?
Rapid changes to insurance co-pays and deductibles for COVID-19 care helped remove the cost barrier to coronavirus care. Those changes could also help people with other conditions.
Health Lab
Everyone vs. COVID-19: How You Can Help Science Make Progress
Clinical research, surveys, symptom trackers and other studies can give the public a chance to help in the fight against COVID-19.
Health Lab
Even Before COVID-19, Many Adults Lacked Stable Food Supply
Food insecurity was already affecting older adults before COVID-19 disruptions to food supplies and the economy, a poll finds.
News Release
Everyone vs. COVID-19: U-M scientists need public’s help to understand and fight coronavirus
Signing up for U-M registry will make it easy for researchers to find sick, recovered, at-risk and healthy people for dozens of studies
Health Lab
Which Operations Can Restart First? New Guide Helps Hospitals Decide
As hospitals re-start elective surgery after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new guide can help them prioritize scarce resource use.
Health Lab
Many Could Face Sky-High Surprise Bills from Air Ambulance Flights
Surprise billing remains a serious issue for those who need emergency ambulance services. A recent study shows over 70% of patients using air or ground ambulance services could have received a surprise bill.
