The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has granted $192.4 million to health researchers across the U.K. to tackle the nation’s most pressing health problems.

Health minister Lord Howe said the investment will help patients benefit from innovative new treatments and techniques which could revolutionize future healthcare. It is hoped the financial boost also will help stimulate the research economy and attract more research funding in the future.

“With a growing elderly population, the need for innovative and effective solutions has never been more important,” said Howe.

Researchers from 13 teams across the country will spend the next five years working on their projects, which include work to reduce the risk of dementia through exercise as well as strategies to improve the nutrition and health of those who have already been diagnosed, ways to improve the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, better aftercare for stroke patients and work to prevent at-risk groups from developing diabetes.

Other projects aim to reduce pressures on A&E and include trying to cut down admissions in children under age five and people with long-term conditions.