The Health Research Board (HRB) today launched its annual ‘Picture of Health’ publication, which highlights recent and exciting developments arising from Irish health research it has funded. Picture of Health 2011 outlines the findings and achievements of more than 40 out of 105 HRB-grants ended in 2010, including nine researchers from RCSI.

The RCSI researchers featured in the report are as follows:

Dr Sally-Ann Cryan	Delivering medicines for easier breathing
Prof. Fergal O'Brien	Figuring out how bones weaken early in osteoporosis
Dr Kevin McGuigan	Reducing diarrhoeal disease - with sunlight
Dr Steven W. Kerrigan	Protect your health as well as your smile!
Prof. Ruairi Brugha	Should I stay or should I go? A study of nurse migration in Ireland
Prof. Jochen Prehn	Protecting the brain in stroke
Dr Ann Hopkins	Leaky guts-the cholesterol connection
Prof David Henshall	Severe brain seizures in early life could be linked to adult epilepsy
Dr Geralyn Hynes	Seeing the everyday impacts when managing lung disease

Speaking about the publication, Minister for Health James Reilly, TD, said: "I strongly believe in the value of health research. Health research can contribute to delivering a better healthcare system and improved standards of wellbeing. This publication shows the relevance, value and potential impact of health research on people’s health, the delivery of our health services and the formulation of health policy."

Speaking at the launch event this morning, Enda Connolly, Chief Executive of the Health Research Board, said: "The Picture of Health 2011 captures just some of the immediate achievements that flow from the Health Research Board’s investment in health research. Health research affects our daily lives. It develops our understanding of health and human diseases. It provides the evidence to help us to tackle health challenges, to improve our health care system, while at the same time it creates opportunities for economic benefits."

RCSI Researchers Dr Sally-Ann Cryan, Prof. Fergal O’Brien and Prof. David Henshall spoke about their research at the launch event held this morning.

A total of 105 HRB grants were completed in 2010, resulting in:

• 105 new international collaborations.
• 669 patients enrolled on cancer clinical trials across 14 hospitals.
• 18 new products and interventions in development.
• 38 PhD students trained across many health disciplines.
• 59 influences on policy and practice.
• Leverage of over €11m in additional research funding.