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
Expanding Medicaid Means Health Problems Get Found and Health Improves, Study Finds
New study finds Medicaid expansion helps diagnose more health problems and improve overall health.
News Release
U-M teams receive $25.5 million for opioid-related prevention and treatment research
As the nation continues to battle an epidemic of addiction and overdose related to opioids and other drugs, several teams of University of Michigan researchers have received millions of dollars in new federal funding to address the issue head-on.
Health Lab
Benefits for Mind, Body and Work Ability Seen in Medicaid Expansion
New Michigan Medicine study finds Medicaid expansion helps low-income adults with behavioral health conditions, including addiction and substance use disorders.
Health Lab
Old Drugs in Your Medicine Cabinet? Here’s What to Do with Them
Prescription drug take back events are the best way to properly dispose of unused medications.
Health Lab
Hearing Aids Linked to Lower Risk of Dementia, Depression and Falls, Study Finds
New research links hearing aids to lower risk of dementia, depression and falls in Medicare HMO patients.
Health Lab
Many Older Adults Aren’t Fully Prepared for Emergency Situations, Poll Finds
New National Poll on Health Aging finds few older adults don’t take key steps to stay safe and healthy during power outages, severe weather or evacuations.
Health Lab
Bigger Spend, Same End: Post-Hospital Care Study Suggests Medicare Could Save Money
A new study finds traditional Medicare spends much more on post-hospital care for people in their 60s than private insurance, but it doesn’t keep patients from being readmitted to the hospital.
Health Lab
An Experiment in Expansion: How U-M Turned Vacant into Vibrant
How the U-M turned a former pharmaceutical research campus into a thriving hub of innovation.
Health Lab
How a State’s Surgeons Cut Down on Opioids Without Putting Patients in More Pain
A Michigan-wide effort cut prescription size by nearly a third without increasing patients’ pain or decreasing their satisfaction.
Health Lab
Accountable Care Organizations: Study Evaluates a Key Medicare Cost & Quality Program
A new study finds Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) taking part in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) may not be as effective as originally hoped.
Medicine at Michigan
Pets Can Bring Health Benefits, or Concerns
A recent poll found that pets play a major role in older adults’ lives
Health Lab
How Little We Know: Experts Document Lack of Research on Youth Firearm Injury
Hard data from researchers shows more youth firearm injury research must be done.
Health Lab
1 in 75 New Moms Go on to Long-Term Opioid Painkiller Use
A new study on post-birth pain care patterns finds a decline in opioid prescribing, but also identifies opportunities for more non-opioid-based care.
Health Lab
Health Insurance Rule Change Could Help Millions of Chronic Disease Sufferers Spend Less for the Care They Need Most
New federal health insurance rule could save on out-of-pocket costs for patients managing chronic conditions.
Health Lab
Taking Opioids for Chronic Pain May Make It Harder to Find Primary Care
“Secret shopper” study reveals 40 percent of primary care clinics will not accept a new patient who takes opioids on an ongoing basis, reducing their access to needed care
