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
senior woman looking at receipt of groceries
Health Lab
Rising food prices hit less-healthy older adults hardest, poll suggests
People over 50 are being hit hard by food cost inflation, but those in poor physical or mental health, and those with low incomes and less education, are being hit hardest.
woman sitting blood pressure
Health Lab
More older adults should be checking blood pressure at home
Only around half of those who have hypertension or conditions linked to blood pressure regularly monitor, but health care providers’ recommendations increase older adults’ monitoring at home.
woman in shadow of bills orange background
Health Lab
As health problems stack up, so do serious financial woes
Financial difficulties, including having debt in collections, being late with debt payments, and having a low credit score, rise along with the number of  chronic diseases and illnesses a person has.
Man with glasses sitting on edge of furniture leaning, holding his shoulder.
Health Lab
Aching joints make older adults reach for many forms of pain relief – but health risks could follow
Arthritis – both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis – affects most adults over 50 and limits the activity of many. Pain drugs and supplements to ease pain can interact and cause health risks.
holding vaccine vial
Health Lab
COVID-19 boosters this fall? Most older adults are ready to roll up their sleeves
A majority of older adults say they will get an updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall. The coming boosters are designed to work against the new Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants of the coronavirus.
exam table lab note
Health Lab
Whether it’s medical records, blood or tissue, patients want to know if researchers may use something from them
Study shows members of public are most likely to want notification if commercial researchers may use identifiable health information – even more than for research on biospecimens.
heart image lab note navy blue yellow
Health Lab
Heart-assisting implants save lives, but Black and female patients don’t get them as often
Providers’ differential decision-making must be addressed to equalize chance of survival for heart failure patients, researchers say.
Health Lab
Is everything you know about Alzheimer's wrong?
Amyloid’s role in Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia doesn’t tell the whole story; other molecules and prevention via cardiovascular, social and cognitive.
people talking on phone and facetime in blue
Health Lab
Telehealth by phone, video proves lifeline for veterans with opioid addiction
Phone-based telehealth, and video telemedicine visits, both helped veterans with opioid addiction stay on buprenorphine medication to treat their opioid use disorder during the pandemic.
blood vials colorful lab notes
Health Lab
A shortage with a silver lining: A chance to reduce unneeded blood tests
Alert in doctors’ ordering system about scarce supplies leads to 29% drop in blood clotting tests; could provide model for other efforts to encourage wise use.
older man doing yoga low
Health Lab
Many older adults look beyond conventional medicine for help, but few talk to their doctors about it
Complementary, alternative and integrative medicine options are used by many senior adults but most don’t share this with their traditional doctors and nurses.
brain geometric shapes colorful blue background
Health Lab
As science searches for answers on depression, what should patients do today?
Serotonin’s precise role in depression is getting attention but SSRIs work for many, and basic neuroscience research goes far beyond ‘chemical imbalances.’
News Release
TRAILS school mental health program enters new chapter
On June 30, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan State Legislature demonstrated a continued commitment to youth mental health by including $50 million for TRAILS (Transforming Research into Action to Improve the Lives of Students) in the budget for fiscal year 2023.
pills
Health Lab
Older adults are missing out on a crucial medication review service
Most older adults take multiple drugs but 80% haven’t had a medication review to check safety and potential savings, and 83% them don’t realize it may be covered by insurance.
Child under table adult alcohol
Health Lab
Study of pre-teens yields surprises about alcohol, tobacco and marijuana
Even at age 9 or 10, as many as 10% of children are curious about using substances, and many parents haven’t made specific rules or say kids’ access at home would be easy.
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