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
Health Lab
Should a Heart or Lung Emergency Mean a Ticket to the ICU? Not Necessarily, Study Suggests
Sending a patient to an intensive care unit after a heart attack, or a flare-up of heart failure or COPD, may sound like the best option. But it’s not always the case.
Health Lab
Study: 1 in 4 ER Visits for Eye Problems Aren’t Actually Emergencies
Learn more about when you should go to the emergency room for eye care and how to tell if your eye problem is really an emergency.
Health Lab
Use of Risky Brain-Affecting Drug Combinations Rising Among Seniors
Learn more about how new data shows the use of risky brain-affecting drug combinations, known as polypharmacy, is rising among seniors
Health Lab
Type 2 Diabetes and DNA: Scientists Zero In on the Genetic Signature of Risk
Read about a new discovery that helps explain how multiple DNA differences can lead to development of type 2 diabetes.
Medicine at Michigan
U-M Depression Center Receives Historic Gift
Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg’s gift will help transform depression treatment
Health Lab
To Improve Medicare, Take Social Risk Factors into Account, Experts Say
Learn about new reports recommending Medicare consideration of patients’ education level, income and other health-affecting circumstances when paying or grading health care providers.
Health Lab
Obesity Linked to Lower Chance of Getting Hospice Care, Study Finds
Learn more about a new study that examines how obesity impacts chances of getting hospice care and what it means for costs for the Medicare system.
 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.
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