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
Bacteria in Petri dish
Health Lab
Better education needed about oral sex disease risk, poll of young people shows
Most teens and young adults underestimate sexually transmitted infection risk, and feel their generation needs better information.
Girl sitting on floor with legs and arms crossed wearing a mask, in a glass house, purple virus' floating around, lavender background
Health Lab
Suffering from surge stress? 9 things to do right now
COVID-related shame, guilt, apathy and stress are affecting many people, including those who have been careful to do everything right and still gotten sick. Tips for self-care during the omicron surge.
red house outline with gun lock outline
Health Lab
Turning a psychiatric crisis into a chance to prevent firearm injury
Gun locks can reduce the risk of suicide, accidental injury and other firearm violence. A new program focuses on getting them into the hands of people at highest risk through the psychiatric emergency room.
pills draw in blue ink
Health Lab
Ivermectin Rx for COVID-19: Insurance coverage doesn’t match evidence
Study shows health plans paid most of the cost of ivermectin, despite drug’s lack of effect on COVID-19.
doctor in mask holding blood bag
Health Lab
Bare shelves in the blood bank means threat to patient care
A critical shortage of blood threatens the ability to do organ transplants and care for patients with cancer and injuries, so blood donors should make appointments immediately.
two adults hugging in yellow background wearing royal blue clothes
Health Lab
Pandemic stress weighs heaviest on least-healthy older adults
Many are feeling stressed by the pandemic, especially those with underlying health and mental health conditions. But others are finding ways to experience joy and public health messaging should help them understand better how to enjoy activities safely
gloved hand holding blood vial
Health Lab
How bias can creep into medical databanks that drive precision health and clinical AI
Racial and ethnic diversity in biobanks and genetic databases is crucial for the accuracy of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and biomarker research and products but a new study shows how bias can creep in.
Women hugging girl flower abstract
Health Lab
Open talk, open door: Helping kids, teens after a school shooting
The school shooting Nov. 30, 2021 in Oxford, Michigan may cause mental distress and trauma in children and teens, on top of the effects of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Tips and links to help families cope.
Senior man bending while walking down wooden stairs holding onto rail
Health Lab
Visiting older relatives? Help spot and fix fall risks
Trips, slips and falls are a major cause of injury, hospitalization and death in older people but prevention can start with quick fixes in their homes that you can make during a holiday visit
woman packing over bed in striped blue and white shirt
Health Lab
Many older Americans plan to take long trips soon, but may alter plans if COVID spikes at their destination
Many seniors plan to travel for the holidays and take long vacations in 2022 but need to keep COVID, telehealth rules and other health needs in mind.
Doctor leaning against desk with clipboard in dark room with anxiety
Health Lab
Medical training takes a mental toll, but less of one than it did a decade ago
First-year medical residents, called interns, still face a high rate of depression but duty hour reductions in GME and better access to mental health care may have reduced their risk in the last decade.
hospital bed drawing in blue ink on lined paper with yellow  badge bottom right saying lab note in blue font
Health Lab
Coronavirus lurks and lingers in nursing home patients’ rooms
Rigorous surface cleaning needed to reduce chance of spread to unvaccinated and vaccinated-but-vulnerable patients, staff and visitors
Stethoscope next to outline of family in red texture grit
Health Lab
Doctoring and parenting in a pandemic: Women bore the brunt
Women who are doctors and parents made more changes and experienced greater depression and anxiety during the pandemic than men who are physician-parents.
doctor and doctor talking about a teen depressed over computers
Health Lab
A lifeline for primary care amid a crisis in youth mental health
Psychiatrists offer a lifeline for doctors and other providers offering mental health care in primary care settings for children, teens, young adults, pregnant women and new mothers.
older woman bandage by doctor with mask on and she has a mask on
Health Lab
Which older adults are getting their flu shots and COVID boosters?
Flu vaccines have stayed out of politics but a new poll shows a new political divide over flu shots as well as COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters.
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