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
With Half of Adults Over 65 Lacking Dental Insurance, Poll Finds Strong Support for Universal Medicare Dental Benefit
Basic Medicare doesn’t include coverage for dental care, but a vast majority of older adults think it should, and many are skipping oral care due to cost.
Health Lab
100 Years of Stopping Contagion with Science
Even before scientists understood what caused them, or developed drugs or vaccines for them, U-M offered advanced care for infectious diseases.
News Release
Stopping contagion with science at U-M: A look back
Right now in hospitals around the world, health care professionals taking care of patients with COVID-19 are going to great lengths to protect themselves and other patients from the coronavirus that causes the disease.
Health Lab
Need to Get Out of the House? Give Blood – It’s Needed More Than Ever
Blood donations are down because of coronavirus, and it may get worse. Giving blood is an important thing to do now in the face of shortages at major hospitals.
Health Lab
Why Filling Out Your Census Form Could Be Good for Your Health
Census forms are arriving in mailboxes nationwide and can be filled out online. The data helps decide how much money hospitals, health agencies and others receive from the federal government – including for response to situations like COVID-19.
Health Lab
Feeling Helpless Because of Coronavirus? Here Are 11 Things You Can Do
The COVID-19 outbreak is causing a lot of fear and anxiety. Here are 10 actions you can take to help yourself and others in your community as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Health Lab
What Can Hospitals Do to Prepare for COVID-19 Cases?
Hospital preparedness for COVID-19 cases caused by coronavirus has to happen now, including preparation for bed capacity increases and use of scarce resources.
Health Lab
Flattening the Curve for COVID-19: What Does It Mean and How Can You Help?
History shows that taking strong steps now to slow the spread of coronavirus will help communities and individuals.
News Release
U-M science teams need public's help to advance to the Sweet 16 round of the STAT Madness tournament
Three Michigan Medicine-led projects have advanced to the second round of STAT News’ annual STAT Madness competition — a bracket-style tournament to find the best innovations in science and medicine
Health Lab
Hail to the Handwashers! A Musical Guide to Handwashing
There's an extra "song" after Hail to the Victors that you can delete. And I think you can delete 'properly' before "use hand sanitizer" . is thatenough?
Health Lab
ACA Helped Make Health Insurance Access More Equal, But Racial and Ethnic Gaps Remain
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) helped close the gap in un-insurance rates among people of color and white Americans, but disparities remain.
Health Lab
Confused About Michigan’s New Medicaid Work Requirement? Read This
Medicaid expansion work requirements in Michigan mean Healthy Michigan Plan members should pay attention to new rules.
News Release
Three shots at glory: U-M biomedical research picked for STAT Madness tournament
College basketball fans have March Madness. But for fans of medical research, there’s nothing like STAT Madness, an online tournament of science run by the STAT health news organization.
Health Lab
Carrots Plus Sticks: What Works to Reduce Low Value Care
Vitamin D testing is low value for most patients. A study in the United States and Canada shows the effects of payment vs. Choosing Wisely guidelines to reduce use.
Health Lab
Emergency Department Patients May Care Less About a Doctor’s Race and Gender Than Previously Thought
Black or white, man or woman, providers got similar satisfaction and confidence scores from simulated patients in new research with implications for quality reporting.
