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Health

UK research given £20m boost

23/01/2008

Five new centres backed by £20 million investment to strengthen research into complex public health issues have been announced today.

The centres of excellence will examine issues including obesity, smoking and health equalities.

Leading experts from a range of disciplines will work at the centres with practitioners, policy makers and other stakeholders.

The five centres will be based at universities in Newcastle, Cardiff, Belfast, Cambridge and Nottingham.

Each will receive up to £5 million over five years to create new academic posts and develop training.

The funding will also provide the technical staff, IT systems, equipment, administrative support and research facilities needed to support their research.

Investment has been provided by the British Heart Foundation; Cancer Research UK; Economic and Social Research Council; Health and Social Care Research and Development Office for Northern Ireland; Medical Research Council; National Institute for Health Research - Welsh Assembly government; and the Wellcome Trust.

Professor Ian Diamond, chief executive of the Economic and Social Research Council, commented: "[These centres] will be vital for bringing together world class experts from a diverse range of backgrounds to ensure that essential research is carried out to make a significant impact on the public health of the UK population.

"There have been big improvements in health and life expectancy over the last century.

"However the UK still faces challenges to improve public health and ensure that as a society we benefit from longer and healthier lives. These centres underline the commitment from all of the funders to investment in high quality research with the aim of improving the health of the nation."