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
News Release
U-M launches health study using Apple Watch
Consumers are increasingly turning to wearable devices to learn more about everything from their heart rate to sleep quality. Yet, the question remains: what can all of this data tell us about people’s overall health?
Health Lab
All Inpatients, All the Time: Hospital Medicine Grows as a Specialty
With their general medical training, and their special focus on the needs of hospitalized patients, hospitalist physicians play a key role in many hospitals.
Health Lab
Study: People with High-Deductible Plans Don’t Act Like Savvy Shoppers
Few people with HDHPs proactively ask about or search for lower-cost care. This suggests opportunity for insurers, employers and health care providers to help.
Health Lab
Many Older Adults, Especially Those with Health Issues, Feel Isolated
Survey of older adults finds physical & mental health issues, hearing problems, and poor diet, exercise and sleep habits are tied to loneliness
Health Lab
Medical ‘Shadow Records’ and ‘Black Box’ Tools Need More Light
Experts call for regulations to strike a balance between personal privacy rights and the potential for “big data” research to improve patient care and fuel innovation.
Health Lab
Dramatic ACA Effect Seen in Insurance for Adults with Diabetes
U-M researchers show more adults with diabetes covered after ACA provisions for pre-existing conditions and older adults began.
Health Lab
Think This Flu Season Is Bad? Flash Back 100 Years
The 1918-1919 flu pandemic killed millions. What can it teach us about preventing the spread of infections today?
Health Lab
Fewer Deaths Among Adults Who Got Extra Support as Suicidal Teens
A new study suggests long-term impacts of an approach that encourages involvement of caring adults in the lives of at-risk adolescents.
Health Lab
Hospitals Send Some Patients Home With Risky Antibiotic Prescriptions
Targeting fluoroquinolone prescribing in hospitals is effective, a 48-hospital study shows, but many patients still get discharge prescriptions for them.
News Release
U-M expands children’s health research with new gift
A gift from University of Michigan alumni Susan and Paul Meister will expand the university’s impact on children’s health research.
Health Lab
Depression in First-Year Doctors Depends on Where They Train
A survey of first-year internal medicine residents shows those in programs with longer hours, less faculty mentoring and more research focus had higher depression scores.
Health Lab
Price Check: Experts Offer Tips for Avoiding Health Care Sticker Shock
Hospitals now have to tell you the price of their care — but that’s very different from what your cost will be.
Health Lab
Opioid-Related Suicides and Overdose Deaths Have More Than Doubled Since 2000
Turning the tide demands improvements to pain care, mental health care and medication-assisted opioid addiction care, U-M researchers say in a new report.
Health Lab
Pre-Medicare Years Bring Health Insurance Worries for Many
Almost half of Americans ages 50 to 64 are worried they won’t be able to afford insurance in retirement, and 68 percent are also concerned about federal changes to health insurance.
Health Lab
How U.S. Children and Teens Die: Study Reveals the Widespread and Persistent Role of Firearms
Firearms have been the No. 2 cause of death for at least 17 years, even as prevention efforts have cut the death rate in half from motor vehicle accidents, the No. 1 cause
