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
Medical Marijuana Gets Wary Welcome from Older Adults, Poll Shows
Read the results of a recent study finding that the majority of older adults support the use of medical marijuana for pain management when recommended by a doctor.
Health Lab
Improving Trauma Survival Hinges on the Body's Own First Responders
Recent discoveries about how the immune system reacts to injury - and the dire consequences if that response spirals out of control - could help improve trauma care.
News Release
Match Madness: U-M medical students learn their fates at annual Match Day event
With the tearing of an envelope, 162 University of Michigan medical students found out their fate today at noon, along with tens of thousands of their peers nationwide.
News Release
U-M team advances to fourth round in virtual "tournament of science"
March Madness isn't just for basketball anymore at the University of Michigan. A U-M team has advanced to the quarterfinal round in another tournament, with their eyes on the championship.
Health Lab
New Doctors' Intense, Changing Schedules Take a Toll, Study Shows
As a pilot study illustrates the effect of the medical intern year, researchers are seeking more graduating medical students to help add to the data.
Health Lab
How Medical Schools Can Better Support Students with Disabilities
A new report taps into national research, interviews with learners and examples of positive action by some schools to help inform suggested changes.
News Release
U.S. Surgeon General to speak at U-M on opioid epidemic and how better partnerships can improve Americans’ health
As opioid addiction and overdoses continue to take a horrific toll on America, a national leader with both personal and professional experience on the issue will speak about it at the University of Michigan on Thursday, March 22.
Health Lab
High Schoolers Can Shift Peers' Attitudes About Depression, Study Shows
A student-led depression education program boosts other students' knowledge and awareness, a new study shows. Now, the resources are available to all online.
News Release
Student-led depression awareness program improves high schoolers’ understanding; U-M manual now available for schools to use
High school students can make a major impact on their schoolmates’ understanding of depression, and their attitudes about seeking help for themselves or others, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Depression Center.
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.
