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
For Refugees Seeking Asylum, Medical Exams Play a Vital Role
Immigration medical exams play a vital role for refugees seeking asylum. See what researchers learned when interviewing asylum lawyers about refugee medical exams.
Medicine at Michigan
Brain Training
A call for changes in neuroscience education
Health Lab
Education Levels Could Be Indicator of Patients’ Dementia Risk
A new study suggests that dementia rates are dropping & education could be an indicator of dementia risk. Learn more about dementia risk factors and education.
Health Lab
Gut Bacteria Eat Colon Lining When Starved for Fiber
U-M researchers have found that gut bacteria eats the colon lining in rats when fed a low-fiber diet. See how a lack of fiber can lead to colon infection.
Health Lab
Health on the Homefront: Efforts to Improve Civilian Care for Veterans
Increasing numbers of veterans are receiving non-VA medical care. See the four questions medical professionals should ask when treating veterans outside the VA.
Health Lab
The More Doctors Interact, the Better Their Patients Do
Study shows physician & hospital teamwork improves heart bypass surgery outcomes. Learn how medical teamwork & doctor communication improves surgical outcomes.
Health Lab
A Step Toward a Vaccine Against Urinary Tract Infections
Researchers are using a combination of UPEC & siderophore to create a urinary tract infection vaccine. Learn more UTI-causing bacteria & possible UTI vaccines.
Health Lab
Study: Common Blood Clotting Test Has Few Benefits, Wastes Money
Testing for inherited thrombophilia is unnecessary. See why patients won't benefit from inherited thrombophilia testing regardless of if they have had a VTE.
Health Lab
Death vs. Readmission: Should Medicare Hospital Payments Weigh Them Equally?
The Medicare penalty for patient readmission is higher than patient death. See how Medicare can better balance hospital mortality and hospital readmission rates.
Health Lab
8 Things to Know About Affordable Care Act Enrollment
Affordable care act enrollment starts in November. Get more information on enrolling in the affordable care act and helpful tips for the ACA enrollment process.
Health Lab
Why Doctors Order Scans for Lower Back Pain When They Probably Won’t Help
Even when clinicians agree an MRI or CT isn’t needed, referral and patient factors get in the way, a new survey shows.
Health Lab
Stopped Hearts Need More Cardiac Arrest Research to Start
Cardiac arrest research is needed, specifically for post cardiac arrest care and cardiac arrest treatment. See the study that details cardiac arrest statistics.
Health Lab
Can Opioid Overdose Prevention Take a Lesson from Stroke Prevention?
Buprenorphine could help with preventing opioid overdose & opioid addiction, but it requires heavy doctor oversight. Discover U-M's idea to treat opioid abuse.
Health Lab
To Achieve Diversity Among Doctors, Start in Pre-Med Years
U-M program HSSP seeks to help URiM students while they are still in pre-med programs. Learn more about diversity in medicine and medical school demographics.
Health Lab
Costly Care: Patient Complications and Bills Vary Widely by Hospital
U-M study shows hospitals with higher rates of surgical complications tend to charge more. See the cost of medical complications like postoperative complications.
