Kara Gavin
@karagavin.bsky.social
Science/medical writer & media relations for University of Michigan (Michigan Medicine/Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation) focusing on #primarycare, #mentalhealth, aging & #healthpolicy Mom, wife, baker, French horn player, AAAS Fellow, J! bronze
Pinned
Kara Gavin
@karagavin.bsky.social
· Jan 8
It’s great to see a growing community of #medsky folks from the Univ. of Michigan on this platform! Here’s a starter pack I’ve begun to compile - please share and ask to be added if you’re in any role at the Med School or the clinical world! go.bsky.app/NKhdFPM
Oh the humanity!
“As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.”
WKRP In Cincinnati’s Thanksgiving episode deserved all the awards😆😆😆 Everyone rightly remembers that iconic final line. But Les covering the whole debacle and channeling the coverage of the Hindenburg tragedy cements its comedic gold status.
WKRP In Cincinnati’s Thanksgiving episode deserved all the awards😆😆😆 Everyone rightly remembers that iconic final line. But Les covering the whole debacle and channeling the coverage of the Hindenburg tragedy cements its comedic gold status.
WKRP in Cincinnati Turkey Drop
YouTube video by Carla Johnson
youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Oh the humanity!
Reposted by Kara Gavin
3 infant #pertussis deaths this year in Kentucky. "Of the three infant deaths reported over the past 12 months, all three were not vaccinated, nor were their mothers."
We first tested maternal vaccination for whooping cough over 80 years ago. It's safe & effective & might have saved these babies.
We first tested maternal vaccination for whooping cough over 80 years ago. It's safe & effective & might have saved these babies.
www.wowktv.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:27 AM
3 infant #pertussis deaths this year in Kentucky. "Of the three infant deaths reported over the past 12 months, all three were not vaccinated, nor were their mothers."
We first tested maternal vaccination for whooping cough over 80 years ago. It's safe & effective & might have saved these babies.
We first tested maternal vaccination for whooping cough over 80 years ago. It's safe & effective & might have saved these babies.
Today is an historic day at @umich.edu: the first patients will move into the new Kahn Pavilion patient tower, transferring from parts of University Hospital. I’m a Wayfinding volunteer for the morning - some of my fellow volunteers were also here for the move of patients to this hospital in 1986!
November 23, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Today is an historic day at @umich.edu: the first patients will move into the new Kahn Pavilion patient tower, transferring from parts of University Hospital. I’m a Wayfinding volunteer for the morning - some of my fellow volunteers were also here for the move of patients to this hospital in 1986!
Reposted by Kara Gavin
changing policies on food avoidance are having impacts on the incidence of peanut allergies in children. What the new research shows and how policies changed- my latest in @theconversation.com @lydiabeckeriii.bsky.social @exposomeimmunology.bsky.social 🧪#HealthPolicy #Allergy
Are peanut allergies actually declining?
Introducing potentially allergic foods early on may actually help reduce the risk of developing a life-changing allergy.
theconversation.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:14 PM
changing policies on food avoidance are having impacts on the incidence of peanut allergies in children. What the new research shows and how policies changed- my latest in @theconversation.com @lydiabeckeriii.bsky.social @exposomeimmunology.bsky.social 🧪#HealthPolicy #Allergy
Influencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world
Influencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world
A year-long investigation reveals how mothers lost children after being radicalised by uplifting podcast tales of births without midwives or doctors
As Esau Lopez was asphyxiated for the first 17 minutes of his life on Earth, the atmosphere in the room remained serene, even ecstatic. Acoustic music crooned from a speaker in a modest two-bedroom apartment in a suburb of Pennsylvania. “You are a queen,” murmured one of three friends in the room.
Only Esau’s mother, Gabrielle Lopez, felt something was wrong. She was pushing hard, but her son would not be born. “Can you help [him] out?” she asked, as Esau crowned. “Baby is coming,” the friend replied. Four minutes later, Lopez asked again, “Can you grab [him]?” Another friend murmured, “Baby is safe.” Six minutes passed. Again, Lopez asked, “Can you grab [him]?” Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Reposted by Kara Gavin
Revised CDC Website About Autism and Vaccines Is Not Evidence-Based
www.factcheck.org/2025/11/revi...
www.factcheck.org/2025/11/revi...
November 21, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Revised CDC Website About Autism and Vaccines Is Not Evidence-Based
www.factcheck.org/2025/11/revi...
www.factcheck.org/2025/11/revi...
Reposted by Kara Gavin
Michigan - you are being watched. apnews.com/article/immi...
Border Patrol is monitoring US drivers and detaining those with 'suspicious' travel patterns
The U.S. Border Patrol is monitoring millions of American drivers nationwide in a secretive program to identify and detain people whose travel patterns it deems suspicious.
apnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Michigan - you are being watched. apnews.com/article/immi...
Reposted by Kara Gavin
Aging comes with big decisions, and most Americans aren’t ready.
A geriatrician lays out what to know about long-term care costs, advance directives and choosing a caregiver, and why it’s crucial to start planning earlier than later: buff.ly/GhxfmC1
A geriatrician lays out what to know about long-term care costs, advance directives and choosing a caregiver, and why it’s crucial to start planning earlier than later: buff.ly/GhxfmC1
Americans are unprepared for the expensive and complex process of aging – a geriatrician explains how they can start planning
Addressing the financial and personal aspects of aging proactively helps to ensure that you will receive the care you need – and want – as you age.
theconversation.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Aging comes with big decisions, and most Americans aren’t ready.
A geriatrician lays out what to know about long-term care costs, advance directives and choosing a caregiver, and why it’s crucial to start planning earlier than later: buff.ly/GhxfmC1
A geriatrician lays out what to know about long-term care costs, advance directives and choosing a caregiver, and why it’s crucial to start planning earlier than later: buff.ly/GhxfmC1
Reposted by Kara Gavin
Every year since the ACA insurance marketplace opened, I've written an #explainer story in plain language for people who buy their own coverage. It always encourages readers to contact counselors like ours at U-M.
That's especially important this year: www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/w...
That's especially important this year: www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/w...
Worried about health insurance for 2026? Read this
The cost of health insurance for people who need to buy ACA plans (also called Obamacare) is causing uncertainty for 2026. U-M experts advise on what to do.
www.michiganmedicine.org
November 20, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Every year since the ACA insurance marketplace opened, I've written an #explainer story in plain language for people who buy their own coverage. It always encourages readers to contact counselors like ours at U-M.
That's especially important this year: www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/w...
That's especially important this year: www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/w...
Reposted by Kara Gavin
“Since 1998, independent researchers have conducted more than 40 high-quality studies involving over 5.6 million people. The conclusion is clear and unambiguous: There’s no link between vaccines and autism." -Dr. Susan Kressly, AAP President on recent changes to the CDC's website
November 20, 2025 at 3:24 PM
“Since 1998, independent researchers have conducted more than 40 high-quality studies involving over 5.6 million people. The conclusion is clear and unambiguous: There’s no link between vaccines and autism." -Dr. Susan Kressly, AAP President on recent changes to the CDC's website
Every year since the ACA insurance marketplace opened, I've written an #explainer story in plain language for people who buy their own coverage. It always encourages readers to contact counselors like ours at U-M.
That's especially important this year: www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/w...
That's especially important this year: www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/w...
Worried about health insurance for 2026? Read this
The cost of health insurance for people who need to buy ACA plans (also called Obamacare) is causing uncertainty for 2026. U-M experts advise on what to do.
www.michiganmedicine.org
November 20, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Every year since the ACA insurance marketplace opened, I've written an #explainer story in plain language for people who buy their own coverage. It always encourages readers to contact counselors like ours at U-M.
That's especially important this year: www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/w...
That's especially important this year: www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/w...
Reposted by Kara Gavin
Congressional debate over ACA subsidies has begun
There are problems with having this raging debate during the open enrollment period just about 40 days before they will face huge premium increases
open.substack.com/pub/timothym...
There are problems with having this raging debate during the open enrollment period just about 40 days before they will face huge premium increases
open.substack.com/pub/timothym...
November 20, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Congressional debate over ACA subsidies has begun
There are problems with having this raging debate during the open enrollment period just about 40 days before they will face huge premium increases
open.substack.com/pub/timothym...
There are problems with having this raging debate during the open enrollment period just about 40 days before they will face huge premium increases
open.substack.com/pub/timothym...
Reposted by Kara Gavin
MI's Reconnect Program provides free community college for residents 25+ without a college degree. @um-ypl.bsky.social and @upjohninstitute.bsky.social unpack who applied for the program, and how added supports could help Michiganders succeed. @bradhershbein.bsky.social ⬇️
📝Brian Jacob and an incredible team of researchers released their analysis of the MI Reconnect Program that provides for free community college for Michiganders 25+ without a college degree. youthpolicylab.umich.edu/research/rep...
Understanding Michigan’s Reconnect Program Applicants
youthpolicylab.umich.edu
November 18, 2025 at 11:41 PM
MI's Reconnect Program provides free community college for residents 25+ without a college degree. @um-ypl.bsky.social and @upjohninstitute.bsky.social unpack who applied for the program, and how added supports could help Michiganders succeed. @bradhershbein.bsky.social ⬇️
How can small incentives of gift cards or other prizes help people in recovery from meth, cocaine or other stimulants for which there is no medication-based therapy? Listen to @laracoughlinphd.bsky.social here!
Dr. Lara Coughlin (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor) joins AJP Audio to study looking at the impact of contingency management on all cause mortality in patients with stimulant use disorder. psychiatryonline.org/ajp/audio
November 18, 2025 at 11:30 PM
How can small incentives of gift cards or other prizes help people in recovery from meth, cocaine or other stimulants for which there is no medication-based therapy? Listen to @laracoughlinphd.bsky.social here!
Reposted by Kara Gavin
In a lot of cases, clinical trials might be the only way for a child to survive a fatal childhood disease, or keep someone from dying from a form of cancer that doesn’t have any other options, etc. We tend to think of “trials” as novel experiments, but they’re often much more than that.
More than 73,000 people were in Clinical Trials Affected by Research Grant Terminations at the National Institutes of Health jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Clinical Trials Affected by Research Grant Terminations at the National Institutes of Health
This cross-sectional study summarizes the number of trials with terminated grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and calculates the proportion of affected trials among those with previou...
jamanetwork.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:26 PM
In a lot of cases, clinical trials might be the only way for a child to survive a fatal childhood disease, or keep someone from dying from a form of cancer that doesn’t have any other options, etc. We tend to think of “trials” as novel experiments, but they’re often much more than that.
Seriously, U-M health care researchers, if you have any interest in learning how to share your work with audiences beyond your field, and increase its chances of having an impact, apply today - it’s a simple application!
Plus we hold this training at the U-M 🌸botanical gardens🌷 in May! #scicomm
Plus we hold this training at the U-M 🌸botanical gardens🌷 in May! #scicomm
TODAY IS THE LAST DAY!
Learn how to communicate your work to the press, public and policymakers, and increase its impact on practice and policy, at our 3-day Impact Accelerator “boot camp.”
Open to IHPI members! Applications due today: ihpi.umich.edu/members/poli...
Learn how to communicate your work to the press, public and policymakers, and increase its impact on practice and policy, at our 3-day Impact Accelerator “boot camp.”
Open to IHPI members! Applications due today: ihpi.umich.edu/members/poli...
Impact Accelerator Program
ihpi.umich.edu
November 17, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Seriously, U-M health care researchers, if you have any interest in learning how to share your work with audiences beyond your field, and increase its chances of having an impact, apply today - it’s a simple application!
Plus we hold this training at the U-M 🌸botanical gardens🌷 in May! #scicomm
Plus we hold this training at the U-M 🌸botanical gardens🌷 in May! #scicomm
Reposted by Kara Gavin
I don't want AI generated art, I want AI emptied dishwasher
November 17, 2025 at 4:36 AM
I don't want AI generated art, I want AI emptied dishwasher
What perfect album came out the year you turned 16?
November 17, 2025 at 2:13 AM
What perfect album came out the year you turned 16?
Reposted by Kara Gavin
Planning to watch Ken Burns’ new film on the Revolutionary War?
Give to your local PBS station, which recently lost its federal funding.
Donate as little as $60 & you will become eligible for the PBS Passport so you can watch Burns’ film & EVERYTHING ELSE PBS OFFERS, anytime, anywhere.
www.pbs.org
Give to your local PBS station, which recently lost its federal funding.
Donate as little as $60 & you will become eligible for the PBS Passport so you can watch Burns’ film & EVERYTHING ELSE PBS OFFERS, anytime, anywhere.
www.pbs.org
a drawing of an american flag with the words gonna hold a revolution now king below it
Alt: a drawing of an american flag with the words gonna hold a revolution now king below it
media.tenor.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Planning to watch Ken Burns’ new film on the Revolutionary War?
Give to your local PBS station, which recently lost its federal funding.
Donate as little as $60 & you will become eligible for the PBS Passport so you can watch Burns’ film & EVERYTHING ELSE PBS OFFERS, anytime, anywhere.
www.pbs.org
Give to your local PBS station, which recently lost its federal funding.
Donate as little as $60 & you will become eligible for the PBS Passport so you can watch Burns’ film & EVERYTHING ELSE PBS OFFERS, anytime, anywhere.
www.pbs.org
Reposted by Kara Gavin
Thank you to @um-ihpi.bsky.socia for encouraging me to integrate questions about disability identity into your poll. For me, #disability is not a word to be avoided but one that can enhance understanding and facilitate problem solving. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/h...
Wheelchair? Hearing Aids? Yes. ‘Disabled’? No Way.
www.nytimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Thank you to @um-ihpi.bsky.socia for encouraging me to integrate questions about disability identity into your poll. For me, #disability is not a word to be avoided but one that can enhance understanding and facilitate problem solving. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/h...
Planning to watch Ken Burns’ new film on the Revolutionary War?
Give to your local PBS station, which recently lost its federal funding.
Donate as little as $60 & you will become eligible for the PBS Passport so you can watch Burns’ film & EVERYTHING ELSE PBS OFFERS, anytime, anywhere.
www.pbs.org
Give to your local PBS station, which recently lost its federal funding.
Donate as little as $60 & you will become eligible for the PBS Passport so you can watch Burns’ film & EVERYTHING ELSE PBS OFFERS, anytime, anywhere.
www.pbs.org
a drawing of an american flag with the words gonna hold a revolution now king below it
Alt: a drawing of an american flag with the words gonna hold a revolution now king below it
media.tenor.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Planning to watch Ken Burns’ new film on the Revolutionary War?
Give to your local PBS station, which recently lost its federal funding.
Donate as little as $60 & you will become eligible for the PBS Passport so you can watch Burns’ film & EVERYTHING ELSE PBS OFFERS, anytime, anywhere.
www.pbs.org
Give to your local PBS station, which recently lost its federal funding.
Donate as little as $60 & you will become eligible for the PBS Passport so you can watch Burns’ film & EVERYTHING ELSE PBS OFFERS, anytime, anywhere.
www.pbs.org
I mentioned this group in my Nerd Nite talk about polio history the other day. They do good work!
November 15, 2025 at 12:39 PM
I mentioned this group in my Nerd Nite talk about polio history the other day. They do good work!
Had a blast talking about the #medhistory of polio at the University of Michigan tonight at Ann Arbor’s Nerd Nite gathering presented by @aadl.org !
Scientists & med folks, this is a great way to get #scicomm practice - find out if there’s a Nerd Nite org near you and if they need speakers!
Scientists & med folks, this is a great way to get #scicomm practice - find out if there’s a Nerd Nite org near you and if they need speakers!
a man wearing glasses and an orange suit is making a funny face and saying nerd alert .
Alt: Mike Myers as Austin Powers saying nerd alert
media.tenor.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Had a blast talking about the #medhistory of polio at the University of Michigan tonight at Ann Arbor’s Nerd Nite gathering presented by @aadl.org !
Scientists & med folks, this is a great way to get #scicomm practice - find out if there’s a Nerd Nite org near you and if they need speakers!
Scientists & med folks, this is a great way to get #scicomm practice - find out if there’s a Nerd Nite org near you and if they need speakers!
Getting ready to watch @nationalacademies.org's webinar on science journalism - starting soon at www.nationalacademies.org/event/45904_... #scicomm
Advancing High-Quality Science Journalism Challenges and Pathways Forward | National Academies
Learn more from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
www.nationalacademies.org
November 13, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Getting ready to watch @nationalacademies.org's webinar on science journalism - starting soon at www.nationalacademies.org/event/45904_... #scicomm