Dementia and diabetes: Using AI to evaluate the impact of NHMRC-funded research

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC opens in new tab/window) today unveils ‘An evaluation of NHMRC-funded dementia and diabetes research opens in new tab/window’, a comprehensive study by Elsevier that underlines the substantive impact of NHMRC-funded research on diabetes and dementia.

The report also underscores the NHMRC's pivotal role in advancing scientific knowledge, influencing policy, and improving clinical practices in these critical health areas. It aligns with NHMRC’s mission of building a healthier Australia by supporting an understanding of how research ultimately leads to better health outcomes and its commitment to foster, promote and evaluate the impact of the health and medical research it funds.

This report, commissioned by the NHMRC and executed and delivered by Elsevier, highlights the immense potential benefits and opportunities that arise from such research, ensuring Australians have access to evidence-based, authoritative health advice.

Utilising an AI-enabled approach, the report provides comprehensive insights into the research outputs, outcomes, and impacts of NHMRC funded health and medical research.

It covers a wide range of indicators, from publications and patents to health programs and policy changes. It also identifies established bibliometric indicators (e.g., publications and citations), technometric indicators (e.g., patents and startups), and novel health interventions.

Key highlights of ‘An evaluation of NHMRC-funded dementia and diabetes research’:

• Substantial funding commitment: Since 2011, NHMRC has committed AUD $679 million to diabetes research and AUD $622 million to dementia research, underscoring our dedication to tackling these critical health challenges.

• Innovative products and tools: NHMRC-supported studies have validated and led to the development of groundbreaking products such as the Cogstate Brief Battery, a vital tool in Alzheimer's research; and PromarkerD, which predicts rapid renal decline in diabetes patients.

• Clinical trials and interventions: NHMRC has supported 216 clinical trials for diabetes and 153 for dementia between the period 2005 and 2024. Additionally, NHMRC funding has contributed to 490 distinct diabetes interventions and 445 dementia interventions, including medical, technological, educational, or lifestyle strategies.

• Commercial success: NHMRC's research has led to the commercialization or trademarking of 101 diabetes interventions and 44 dementia interventions, reflecting the translation of research into market-ready solutions.

• Patent contributions: Over 1,000 patent families have cited NHMRC diabetes and dementia research, showcasing the innovative nature and global influence of the funded projects.

• Clinical guideline uptake: NHMRC-funded research in dementia and diabetes has achieved higher levels of rare clinical guideline uptake events compared to global funders, with 8% and 4% of publications cited, respectively.

• Data sharing: NHMRC diabetes research leads globally in data sharing, with 15.5% of publications making their data available, compared to 12.9% for funders worldwide.

• Lifestyle and well-being improvements: NHMRC-supported prevention programs have significantly improved lifestyle outcomes for diabetes patients, including weight losses of 8% or more. Research into drugs like canagliflozin has led to reduced hospitalizations and enhanced patient quality of life, while art therapy interventions have improved well-being in dementia patients.

• Future innovations: NHMRC-funded research is at the forefront of leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, bioengineering, gene editing, and the health-environment nexus, laying the groundwork for future health innovations that will continue to improve patient outcomes.

• High-impact publications: NHMRC-funded research has resulted in 3,834 publications on diabetes and 2,762 on dementia. These publications boast a citation impact more than twice the global average, highlighting the high quality and relevance of the research.

The report also offers a roadmap for enhancing the evaluation and impact assessment of NHMRC's funding initiatives with the following key recommendations:

• Investigating biomedical research dynamics: The analysis revealed that pharmaceutical industry-funded or co-funded publications often outperform other publications in measurable impact, emphasizing the need to delve deeper into the unique factors influencing biomedical research. By understanding these dynamics, NHMRC can enhance the design and interpretation of future evaluations, ensuring that all its funding continues to drive effective research outcomes.

• Implementing robust self-reporting systems: For the foreseeable future, the comprehensive and high quality coverage of research publications, output, outcome and impact is best achieved with active self-reporting by those researchers and partners that realized those results in the first place. This will enable researchers to actively document and validate their contributions, ensuring a high-quality and comprehensive database.

It aligns with NHMRC’s mission of building a healthier Australia by supporting an understanding of how research ultimately leads to better health outcomes.

For more information on and to access ‘An evaluation of NHMRC-funded dementia and diabetes research opens in new tab/window’, please visit https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/evaluation-nhmrc-funded-dementia-and-diabetes-research opens in new tab/window.

Quotes attributable to NHMRC CEO, Professor Steve Wesselingh:

• “Impacts from health and medical research can be important and far-reaching in improving the health and well-being of the Australian community.

• “This report is a testament to the vital role that NHMRC funded research plays in addressing some of the most pressing and complex health challenges.

• “By evaluating the impact of our research, we can ensure that our efforts are making a meaningful difference in the lives of many and helping us achieve our mission of building a healthy Australia.”

Quotes attributable to Dr. Nick Fowler, Chief Academic Officer, Elsevier:

"This report is a strategic collaboration between NHMRC and Elsevier that leverages advanced data analytics to provide a comprehensive evaluation of research impact, ensuring that the invaluable contributions of NHMRC-funded projects are recognized and utilized to drive further innovation in dementia and diabetes care. The insights gained from this report not only enhance our understanding of these diseases but also serve as a crucial resource for researchers, policymakers, funders and healthcare providers worldwide.”

About National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is Australia's leading expert body promoting the development and maintenance of public and individual health standards. NHMRC create pathways to a healthier future through research funding, health guidelines, and the ethical standards they set and uphold. NHMRC is committed to supporting high-quality health and medical research, building research capability, supporting the translation of research into clinical practice, and ensuring that health advice is based on the best available evidence.

About Elsevier

A global leader in advanced information and decision support, Elsevier helps to advance science and healthcare, to advance human progress. We do this by facilitating insights and critical decision-making with innovative solutions based on trusted, evidence-based content and advanced AI-enabled digital technologies.

We have supported the work of our research and healthcare communities for more than 140 years. Our 9,700 employees around the world, including 2,300 technologists, are dedicated to supporting researchers, librarians, academic leaders, funders, governments, R&D-intensive companies, doctors, nurses, future healthcare professionals and educators in their critical work. Our 3,000 scientific journals and iconic reference books include the foremost titles in their fields, including Cell Press, The Lancet and Gray’s Anatomy. Together with the Elsevier Foundation opens in new tab/window, we work in partnership with the communities we serve to advance inclusion in science, research and healthcare in developing countries and around the world.

Elsevier is part of RELX opens in new tab/window, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information on our work, digital solutions and content, visit www.elsevier.com.