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
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.
 Microscopic image of gut bacteria eating the colon lining
Health Lab
Gut Bacteria Eat Colon Lining When Starved for Fiber
U-M researchers have found that gut bacteria eats the colon lining in rats when fed a low-fiber diet. See how a lack of fiber can lead to colon infection.
 A family discussing end of life wishes during Thanksgiving
Health Lab
How to Discuss Health Care and End-of-Life Wishes During the Holidays
The holidays are a great time to discuss end-of-life decisions. Learn the importance of having a health care power of attorney & discussing it with your family.
Health Lab
Health on the Homefront: Efforts to Improve Civilian Care for Veterans
Increasing numbers of veterans are receiving non-VA medical care. See the four questions medical professionals should ask when treating veterans outside the VA.
 The importance of teamwork in medicine
Health Lab
The More Doctors Interact, the Better Their Patients Do
Study shows physician & hospital teamwork improves heart bypass surgery outcomes. Learn how medical teamwork & doctor communication improves surgical outcomes.
 UPEC & siderophore being used in a urinary tract infection vaccine
Health Lab
A Step Toward a Vaccine Against Urinary Tract Infections
Researchers are using a combination of UPEC & siderophore to create a urinary tract infection vaccine. Learn more UTI-causing bacteria & possible UTI vaccines.
 Blood tests for inherited thrombophilia
Health Lab
Study: Common Blood Clotting Test Has Few Benefits, Wastes Money
Testing for inherited thrombophilia is unnecessary. See why patients won't benefit from inherited thrombophilia testing regardless of if they have had a VTE.
 Illustration depicting a hospital patient being quickly readmitted to the same hospital.
Health Lab
Death vs. Readmission: Should Medicare Hospital Payments Weigh Them Equally?
The Medicare penalty for patient readmission is higher than patient death. See how Medicare can better balance hospital mortality and hospital readmission rates.
 A group of people under the ACA's healthcare.gov umbrella
Health Lab
8 Things to Know About Affordable Care Act Enrollment
Affordable care act enrollment starts in November. Get more information on enrolling in the affordable care act and helpful tips for the ACA enrollment process.
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