The European Health Initiative (IHI) has announced new calls for interdisciplinary projects in health research and innovation. With a budget of €120 million, to be matched by industry, IHI aims to address gaps in health research and innovation that cannot be tackled by a single entity. The calls focus on five topics: heart disease management, data (under)use, biomarkers, healthcare workforce, and long-term management of illnesses.
These calls present an opportunity for researchers and organizations to collaborate on big, pre-competitive projects. The key to success in these collaborative projects is finding the right mix of partners. According to Niklas Blomberg, the executive director of IHI, researchers should start preparing their proposals early and form strong, collaborative networks. IHI provides support through webinars and brokerage events to help researchers ensure their proposals meet all the necessary requirements.
One of the topics in the current calls is “Helping patients stick with their medication.” Chronic disease management is a significant challenge, with studies showing that around half of those living with chronic diseases do not adhere to their prescribed medication for more than a year. IHI is looking for projects that can provide a better understanding of this issue and develop models to improve medication adherence, particularly for cardiometabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
To enhance the reader’s understanding of the importance of medication adherence in chronic disease management, we can reference an article titled “A New Lease on Life: How NHS is Saving Children with Gene Therapy for MLD.” This article highlights the impact of innovative treatments, such as gene therapy, in improving patient outcomes and quality of life. By incorporating this article, we can emphasize the significance of research and innovation in healthcare and how projects funded by IHI can contribute to advancements in treatment and management of chronic diseases.
Another topic in the calls is “Practical guidance on the use of real-world data and evidence.” While there are high-level recommendations on utilizing real-world data, there is a lack of practical guidance. IHI aims to fund projects that develop practical recommendations to support drug development, regulation, health technology assessment, and payer decision-making. These recommendations should apply to drugs, medical devices, and drug-device combinations.
To provide additional insights on the use of real-world data and evidence, we can reference an article titled “Uncovering the Connection: Exploring the Link Between Hearing Voices and Hearing Your Own Voice.” This article discusses the use of real-world data in understanding auditory hallucinations and their impact on individuals. By incorporating this article, we can highlight the potential of real-world data in uncovering new insights and improving healthcare outcomes.
The remaining topics in the calls include “Better management of heart disease,” “Assisting healthcare workers,” and “Clinical validation of biomarkers.” Each of these topics addresses significant challenges in healthcare and offers opportunities for innovative solutions and advancements.
Overall, the calls by IHI provide a platform for collaborative projects that address complex healthcare challenges. By incorporating the referenced articles, we can emphasize the importance of research and innovation in improving patient outcomes and enhancing healthcare practices.
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