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
Older woman listening to music with headphones as she lays on a couch.
Health Lab
Music may bring health benefits for older adults
Making music by singing or playing an instrument, or listening to music, brings health and wellbeing benefits to many older adults.
 Older man with hand on forehead, dressed in camouflage clothing
Health Lab
Ketamine helped many severely depressed veterans, study shows
Intravenous (IV) ketamine helped relieve the depression symptoms of half of the veterans who received it at VA hospitals.
 Surgeon's tray with gloved hand reaching into wallet
Health Lab
Worries about costs, time off work and COVID-19 kept some older adults from having surgery
Elective surgery study shows older adults have concerns about what it will cost them, how much work they’ll miss and whether they’ll catch COVID-19.
 Illustration of physician with prescriptions, indicating online options
Health Lab
Few older adults use direct-to-consumer health services; those who do don’t tell their regular provider
Buying health care services directly online offers convenience but also risks if patients don’t tell their regular doctor or provider. Poll looks at older adults’ use and attitudes.
 AI algorithm alcohol medical symbols
Health Lab
For surgery patients, AI could help reduce alcohol-related risks
Surgery patients who drink at a risky level have higher risks of complications; surgical teams could use artificial intelligence to search their records for signs that they may need to cut back.
 covid cell blue yellow sketched graphic
Health Lab
Sickle cell raises COVID risk, but vaccination lags
Vaccination against the coronavirus was much lower in adults and children with sickle cell disease despite a higher risk of severe COVID-19.
 Colorful painting of two heads
Health Lab
Bipolar disorder linked to early death more than smoking
People with bipolar disorder have a higher risk of early death than people who smoke, and more efforts to improve detection and care are needed.
 blood cells floating red maroon
Health Lab
Most babies with sickle cell disease face double disadvantage
Babies born with sickle cell disease face social inequality as well as a lifelong chronic disease that is often undertreated with proven drugs.
 woman holding head down in library
Health Lab
Genetic “protection” against depression no match for pandemic stress
By studying first-year college students’ experiences and backgrounds, scientists may have discovered a way to go beyond genetics to predict which students might be more or less vulnerable to stress-related depression.
 person's feet on scale on biege tile floor
Health Lab
Medicare doesn’t cover obesity drugs, but 76% of older adults think it should
Drugs approved for people with obesity or diabetes, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, can reduce risk for older adults; a new poll shows attitudes toward them
 grey scissors cutting red pill back
Health Lab
Surgery patients now less likely to get opioids – but decline has slowed
Opioid painkillers prescribed by surgeons have gone down in recent years but the decline has slowed since the pandemic
 Woman covered with a red and white print blanket laying on a sofa.
Health Lab
‘Tis the season to get vaccinated: How to stay healthy through the holidays
Winter surges in infectious diseases can ruin holidays, but vaccination against COVID-19, flu, RSV, whooping cough and pneumonia can help.
 cannabis leaf sketched blue
Health Lab
1 in 8 older adults use cannabis products, suggesting need to screen for risks
The Michigan Medicine finding suggest a need for more education and screening of older adults for cannabis-related risks.
 person holding walker with nurse next to them closer up on hands lower body
Health Lab
Long COVID happens in nursing homes, too
Post-acute sequelae of Sars-COV2 (PASC, long COVID) caused a decrease in independence and cognitive ability after coronavirus infection in nursing home residents
 expert at stand hearing in suit
Health Lab
Keep telehealth alive and well, experts tell Senate subcommittee
Telehealth coverage by Medicare is scheduled to expire at the end of 2024; experts told Senators what they think should happen to preserve it.
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