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
Health Lab
Most older adults want insurance to cover obesity drugs and many want to use them
Medicare and most private insurance plans don’t cover anti-obesity medications like Wegovy (also sold as Ozempic), but a new poll of older adults shows widespread support and interest in using them.
Health Lab
Weather emergencies affect older adults' health views
A new poll shows many older adults are concerned about the health effects of climate change and that those who have lived through a weather-related emergency are much more likely to be concerned.
Health Lab
Does getting ADHD drugs via telehealth increase addiction risk?
Telehealth treatment of ADHD with stimulant medications has raised worries about addiction risk and substance use disorder; young adults are the main risk group but better screening needed
Health Lab
Telehealth didn’t increase Medicare visits, but drove down post-visit costs
Concerns about telehealth’s potential to lead to more in-person care and higher costs are not panning out, which has implications for extending COVID-era flexibility.
News Release
Eight U-M teams picked for virtual tournament of science
Teams studying liver cancer, brain tumors, obesity medicine, CMV, sleep and memory, cancer immunotherapy aortic aneurysms and bipolar disorder are competing in STAT Madness
Health Lab
Veteran suicide study suggests way to ID those at highest risk
By studying veterans who went through suicide prevention appointments at VA hospitals and clinics, a study highlights key risk factors including access to firearms.
Health Lab
New Michigan laws make storing firearms safely more important than ever
New safe gun storage laws for Michigan highlight the need for keeping firearms locked up and separate from ammunition to prevent injury and death including suicide.
Health Lab
Long drives, high costs stand between rural adults and safe surgery
Rural patients face long drives for surgery, especially if they want to reach a high quality and affordable hospital.
Health Lab
Working later in life linked to positive health impacts
People over 50 who work say having a job aids their mental and physical health, but disabilities, caregiving and other issues act as barriers to working for many, including those who aren’t working but aren’t yet retired.
Health Lab
How can we cut wasteful pre-surgery testing?
Pre-operative tests in low-risk surgical patients dropped sharply, and safely, after a quality improvement effort aimed at reducing inappropriate care.
Health Lab
Firearm hospitalizations dropped before the pandemic, then shot up
Hospital stays related to gun injuries dipped then rose sharply, and paralleled gun sales trends, with disparities by age, race and health insurance status.
Health Lab
How did health insurance coverage changes affect older adults?
Two University of Michigan studies show how past policy decisions have affected older Americans with modest or low incomes.
News Release
Eight U-M researchers win PECASE awards
Three U-M medical researchers, and five others from the U-M faculty, have received one of the nation's top honors for scientists and engineers, as announced by the White House.
News Release
“An example worthy of imitation”: U-M Medical School marks 175th anniversary
A yearlong celebration of the 175th anniversary of the opening of the U-M Medical School will highlight and examine aspects of the history of U-M’s entire academic medical center
Health Lab
What experts wish more people knew about hospice and other end-of-life care
Hospice, palliative care, end-of-life decisions, long-term care insurance and durable power of attorney are all things people with serious health issues should think about.
