This publication includes an overview of our huge contribution to Ireland’s efforts to combat COVID-19, such as funding and enabling clinical trials to evaluate treatments, supporting research into medical, social and policy countermeasures, and providing evidence reviews to inform policy. Health Research in Action also provides a lively snapshot of other work completed in 2020, in which a total of 59 funding awards worth €19,372,354 were completed.

Key results include:

  • 77 influences on policy or practice (e.g., new clinical guidelines, policy reports) 
  • 44 new methods or materials (e.g., assays, databases, training materials)
  • 229 engagements with public bodies and media 
  • 55 instances of public, patient and carer involvement (PPI) in research awards
  • €28,901,451 total funding leveraged on foot of these awards.

Welcoming the publication, Dr Mairead O Driscoll, Chief Executive at the Health Research Board, says:

“Health Research in Action neatly showcases the significant and wide-ranging impacts and outcomes of the HRB’s work during 2020, all of which deliver on our vision of ‘better health through excellent research, data and evidence.’

“That all of this was achieved despite the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 makes it even more impressive. It also further highlights the importance of health research, not just in the fight against COVID-19, but for the health and wellbeing of society and economy overall.”

Health Research in Action also includes 22 success stories of HRB and HRB-funded health and social care research projects across four important themes:

  1. Improving health behaviour and healthcare processes
  2. Empowering diverse voices in health
  3. Better health in pregnancy, childhood and adolescence
  4. Gathering evidence for health policy and services

Over the coming months, we will be sharing each of these 22 stories on our dedicated Health Research in Action webpage, and across social media, so do please stay tuned. We also encourage you to join the conversation on Twitter @hrbireland, #HealthResearchInAction.

Thanks to @claireoconnell and all the HRB and HRB-funded researchers for helping us produce this year’s Health Research in Action. Sincere acknowledgement also to the public, patients and carers, as well as the health and social care professionals, that make so much of our work possible.