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
More Isn’t Always Better When It Comes to Health Care, Older Americans Say
Many people over age 50 see a mismatch in what tests and treatments doctors recommend, and what they need and use, according to a new poll.
News Release
More isn’t always better when it comes to health care, older Americans say – but many see mismatch in need & use
Doctors and older patients may disagree more often than either of them suspects about whether a particular medical test or medicine is truly necessary, according to findings from a new poll of Americans over age 50.
Health Lab
Short-Term Use of IV Devices Is Common — and Risky — Study Shows
PICCs should be reserved for long-term use, but a new study shows 1 in 4 are inserted for five days or less with 1 in 10 of these leading to device-related complications.
Health Lab
Clues to Obesity’s Roots Found in Brain’s Quality Control Process
One key to a healthy weight may lie deep inside the brain, in the endoplasmic reticulum of cells that produce the “grandfather” of appetite-regulating hormones.
Health Lab
New CRISPR-Cas9 Tool Edits Both RNA and DNA Precisely
A Cas9 protein discovered in meningitis bacteria can act as precise "scissors" for both types of genetic material, cutting at a desired spot guided by CRISPR RNAs.
Health Lab
Efforts to Curb Risky Sedative Use in Older Patients Bring Progress, Challenges
A new study finds that steps to reduce prescriptions of a class of drugs that poses special hazard for older people are working. But many at-risk patients still receive them.
Health Lab
Learning from Flint: Legionnaires’ Disease Studies Show a Need for Careful Water Treatment and Better Patient Testing Everywhere
In two new studies, researchers show clear link between Flint’s water changes and disease cases, and find that the bacteria strain found in homes is not what doctors often test for.
Health Lab
Resisting Food Temptation Isn’t Futile, but Obesity May Make It Harder
A new study finds that obesity-prone rats respond more strongly to food-related cues, including specific changes in cells of the same brain area linked to addiction.
News Release
U-M will hold “hackathon” for health communication, with help from Sanjay Gupta and family
Disease outbreaks. Medical discoveries. Natural disasters. The hope -- and hype -- that can come with new treatment options.
Health Lab
A Grass-Roots Effort to Make Colon Surgery Safer
Work to reduce surgical site infections, sepsis and more at dozens of hospitals across Michigan shows promise — but room to improve.
Health Lab
General Internal Medicine: A Path That Leads to Many More
They’re helping create the future of medicine through research, clinical care, education and public policy. What do they have in common? A start as general internists.
Health Lab
Flu Can Be Deadly for Older Adults. So Why Don’t We Do More to Protect Them?
When you get a flu shot, it helps protect those around you, including those at risk of dangerous flu complications. A new poll highlights the importance of such protection.
Health Lab
Doctors Who Specialize in Not Specializing: Key to Medicine's Future
General internal medicine physicians are prime drivers of high-quality clinical care, education, research and innovation — which is why U-M faculty say more students should consider the path.
Health Lab
In Chronic Disease Care, Family Helpers Are Key, But Feel Left Out
Read how in chronic disease care family and friends are more of health supporters, and how physicians and policymakers should consider chronic disease care that includes health supporters.
News Release
Warm music for a cold day: U-M Life Sciences Orchestra plays free concert on Sunday, Jan. 21
No matter how cold it gets outside, the University of Michigan’s Hill Auditorium will fill with warm – and sometimes fiery – music on the afternoon of Sunday, January 21, when the U-M Life Sciences Orchestra takes the stage.
