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
Can Math Help Explain Our Bodies — and Our Diseases?
A new mathematical model aims to combine the “beauty” of mathematics with biology to set the stage for future discovery.
Health Lab
Screen saver: Why too many patients get liver tests they don’t need
Read perspective from a University of Michigan researcher on how too many liver tests at once may lead to unneeded worry, biopsies and costs.
Health Lab
Bacteria in Your Lungs? New Microbiome Study Shows How They Get There
Read about a new lung microbiome study reviewing new research on bacteria in lungs and how it got there, and what happens to the and our bodies as a result.
Health Lab
Should a Heart or Lung Emergency Mean a Ticket to the ICU? Not Necessarily, Study Suggests
Sending a patient to an intensive care unit after a heart attack, or a flare-up of heart failure or COPD, may sound like the best option. But it’s not always the case.
Health Lab
Study: 1 in 4 ER Visits for Eye Problems Aren’t Actually Emergencies
Learn more about when you should go to the emergency room for eye care and how to tell if your eye problem is really an emergency.
Health Lab
Use of Risky Brain-Affecting Drug Combinations Rising Among Seniors
Learn more about how new data shows the use of risky brain-affecting drug combinations, known as polypharmacy, is rising among seniors
Health Lab
Type 2 Diabetes and DNA: Scientists Zero In on the Genetic Signature of Risk
Read about a new discovery that helps explain how multiple DNA differences can lead to development of type 2 diabetes.
Medicine at Michigan
U-M Depression Center Receives Historic Gift
Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg’s gift will help transform depression treatment
Health Lab
To Improve Medicare, Take Social Risk Factors into Account, Experts Say
Learn about new reports recommending Medicare consideration of patients’ education level, income and other health-affecting circumstances when paying or grading health care providers.
Health Lab
Obesity Linked to Lower Chance of Getting Hospice Care, Study Finds
Learn more about a new study that examines how obesity impacts chances of getting hospice care and what it means for costs for the Medicare system.
Health Lab
After Michigan Medicaid Expansion, Uncompensated Care Bills Dropped Dramatically
A Healthy Michigan Plan evaluation shows the ACA Medicaid expansion reduced the unpaid medical care at Michigan hospitals. See the impact on Michigan hospitals.
Health Lab
Fewer Veterans Got Risky Opioid Prescriptions Thanks to National VA Effort
High dose veteran opioid prescriptions have decreased thanks to a digital tracking system. Learn about veteran opioid abuse & the VA Opioid Safety Initiative.
Health Lab
After Surgery, Where Hospitals Send Patients Makes a Big Cost Difference
The cost of post acute care management varies when comparing outpatient care to inpatient care. See the U-M study results on the cost of post operative care.
Health Lab
Study: Health Plan Deductibles Hit Patients with Chronic Illness Harder
Study suggests high deductible health plans cost patients with chronic illnesses more out of pocket. See how health plan deductibles change health care costs.
Health Lab
Medicaid Expansion More Than Pays for Itself, Study Finds
Study shows The Healthy Michigan Plan, which offers health insurance to low income adults, pays for itself. Learn more about the Michigan Medicaid Expansion.
