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
Kara Gavin photo
Scales healthcare money on a weigh scale with red background
Health Lab
What happens when preventive care becomes free to patients?
Preventive services such as mammograms, birth control, immunizations and colonoscopy have no out-of-pocket costs under the Affordable Care Act.
 iphone in hand with purple background showing medical appointment reminder
Health Lab
One-third of older Americans delayed health care over COVID concerns
Worries about getting exposed to coronavirus in health care settings has led older adults to delay care during the pandemic.
 super computer with scientist in front of it showing COVID michigan data
Health Lab
Teamwork saves lives: COVID-19 hospital network shares key lessons to improve care
Hospitals across Michigan pooled COVID-19 patient data to reduce variation and improve outcomes in care, including antibiotic use, mortality risk prediction and VTE prophylaxis.
 Doctor hand selecting a prescription bottle
Health Lab
Many surgery patients get opioid prescriptions, but many don’t need to, study suggests
Opioid pain medication carries risks
 older man drinking red wine from glass
Health Lab
Poll finds risky drinking patterns in older adults during pandemic
Pandemic alcohol use has gotten a lot of attention but new poll data show problematic drinking by many older adults.
 drawing of brain in blue ink with lab note badge in yellow bottom right
Health Lab
Harnessing healthy behaviors to prevent dementia
Maintaining a healthy brain is another good reason people can take action on diet, blood pressure, exercise, alcohol, social interaction and more.
News Release
U-M to establish new Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention
The University of Michigan will launch a new Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention to generate knowledge and advance innovative solutions that reduce firearm injury, a public health crisis that leads to more than 100 deaths per day across the United States.
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Health Lab
What will it take to get more of the U.S. vaccinated against COVID-19?
Prizes, lotteries, discounts and freebies for COVID-19 vaccination may help overcome vaccine hesitancy and reward the vaccinated too
 Empty hospital bed with monitors and machines in hospital room
Health Lab
Pandemic Shows Essential Role of ECT Treatment for Severe Depression
Electroconvulsive therapy or ECT for severe depression and catatonia is an aerosol-generating procedure but new data show it should be allowed to continue in pandemics as an essential procedure.
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Health Lab
Treatment Barrier Falls, but More Remain, for People with Opioid Issues
Medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder including addiction has required special prescriber training and certification. Biden administration policy changes that.
 blue pill with globes inside of it piled up
Health Lab
Vast Under-Treatment of Diabetes Seen in Global Study
Diabetes care should include medication to reduce blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure, and counseling on diet, weight and exercise. But few people in developing nations receive all of this.
Health Lab
What Lies Ahead for the Affordable Care Act?
A key Supreme Court ruling expected soon, and other policies and proposals playing out at the state and federal level.
 person throwing masks into the sky with sun
Health Lab
Confused About the Latest Mask Rules? Read This
Vaccinated and unvaccinated people now have different mask rules to live by and they vary by setting, plus immunocompromised people and others may want to voluntarily wear a mask.
 pink old school alarm clock in repetitive pattern
Health Lab
Stop Procrastinating on These Key Health Checks
If you put them off because of the pandemic, now’s the time to get them scheduled.
Health Lab
A Year-Long Sprint: Sanjay Gupta Reflects on Communications and the Pandemic
CNN health reporter Sanjay Gupta discusses a wide range of health communication topics and his personal experiences.
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