Health Research in Action features 22 success stories of HRB and HRB-funded research. The stories, set across five themes, include projects about recent trends in eating-disorder diagnoses in under 18s; advancing drug screening for rare disease; supporting breastfeeding;  adversity and mental health in teenagers, caring for family carers; and identifying gaps in women’s health research. It also includes a snapshot of HRB’s achievements across 2024.

Welcoming the launch of this year’s Health Research in Action, Dr Gráinne Gorman, Chief Executive at the Health Research Board, says:

“The projects in this publication show the difference that research makes to people’s lives. Robust data and evidence help inform policy makers, catalyse change, strengthen our health and social care systems and ultimately positively impact people’s health and wellbeing.  We are proud to have supported these research projects and many more, and are grateful to the patients, carers, researchers and healthcare professionals who make them possible.”

79 awards worth over €41 million were completed in 2024. The HRB’s National Health Information Systems published 9 annual reports and national bulletins on disability, drugs, alcohol, mental health and homelessness; three peer-reviewed journal articles; and serviced 120 requests for data. The HRB Evidence Centre completed three evidence reviews and seven evidence briefs for the Department of Health. Other notable impacts in 2024 include:

  • 149 influences on policy or practice
  • 348 engagements with public bodies and media
  • 337 research jobs supported
  • 788 publications

You can read the full publication of Health Research in Action here.