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
The impact of the ACA Medicaid expansion on hospital unpaid medical care
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.
 A mock up of the dashboard tool used to reduce high dose veteran opioid prescriptions
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.
 A woman considering outpatient care VS inpatient care
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.
 Patients discussing their high deductible health plan costs
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.
 Graphic signifying The Healthy Michigan Plan paying for itself
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.
 A medical student discussing his scholarly concentration
Health Lab
Med School ‘Minors’ Gain Momentum, Fostering Future Doctors’ Passions
Scholarly concentrations allow medical school students to choose an additional focus like global medicine or health policy. Learn about U-Ms Paths of Excellence.
 Depiction of a depressed medical school student
Health Lab
Med School Mental Health: 1 in 4 Students May Be Depressed
Study shows 1 in 4 medical students are suffering from medical school depression. See how U-M plans to address depression in medical school & during residency.
 A postdoctoral fellow teaching a class as part of the IRACDA program
Health Lab
A Win-Win for Science Education: Postdocs in Community College Classrooms
The U-M has begun participating in the IRACDA program which pairs postdoctoral fellows with students pursuing associate degrees. Learn more about the IRACDA.
 A collection of medical apps and mobile health apps
Health Lab
Few Mobile Health Apps Help the Patients Who Need Them Most
A New study finds medical apps like diabetes apps or depression apps may be insufficient. Learn more about the U-M study on mHealth apps and mobile health apps.
 A collection of hospital wristbands signifying hospital readmission
Health Lab
Study: Medicare Readmission Penalties Need to Weigh Socioeconomic Factors
U-M study shows patients’ race, income, & family support play a role in hospital readmission rates. See their recommendations for Medicare readmission penalties.
 Nef proteins stopping healthy proteins form alerting the immune system of HIV
Health Lab
The Quest for a True AIDS Cure — in a Coral Reef
Researchers identified a coral reef bacteria that targets the Nef protein made by HIV. Learn about potential AIDS & HIV treatments using marine actinomycetes.
 Graphic of heart and lungs depicting sudden unexpected death in epilepsy
Health Lab
Fighting Sudden Death in Epilepsy Through Science
Researchers are studying the role SCN8A mutations & the sodium channel Nav1.6 play in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Learn more about SUDEP risk factors
 Doctors and asylum lawyers working with refugees
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
 Graphic of elderly couple sitting in a library
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.
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