A world record for HIV testing, a clinical trial to prevent thousands of child deaths in Africa, and a project to make safer cricket helmets scooped some of the top prizes at the BMJ Group Improving Health Awards 2012 last night.

The awards, now in their fourth year, honour in a dozen categories those who have made outstanding contributions to healthcare.

The England and Wales Cricket Board was named the Sports and Exercise Team of the Year for its work to reduce the number of facial injuries through the manufacture of safer helmets. This new award was presented by Andrew Deaner, the cardiologist who assisted footballer Fabrice Muamba earlier this year after he collapsed during a Premier League match.

The prize for Research Paper of the …