ANNOUNCEMENT

Lawrenceville, NJ, USA—June 8, 2020—As the leading professional society for health economics and outcomes research globally, ISPOR rarely comments on issues not directly related to healthcare. However, the Society feels compelled to speak out after the series of events in the United States and across the globe that have brought the issue of racial inequities to the forefront.

We are painfully aware that there are severe injustices in many parts of the world and were shocked to witness the recent violence and injustice perpetrated in the United States on people of color. We recognize these events reflect a long history of injustice. As a global, professional Society, ISPOR stands for equality for all. One of ISPOR’s core organizational values is:

“We embrace diversity and inclusion in our membership and in all endeavors.”

ISPOR stands firmly for valuing diversity and for equality and fairness for everyone. We reject inequities and injustice of all types. And we strengthen our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity for all.

ISPOR’s mission is to promote health economics and outcomes research excellence to improve decision making for health globally. While recent events may not seem to intersect with our mission, we know that racial, economic, social, and other factors play a significant role in determining health and affect access to healthcare and patients’ health outcomes. Let us recommit to improving healthcare decisions for all and work to address inequality in health, healthcare, and beyond.

Dr Martin Luther King, Jr once said:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

As a global community, let us all work together to do just that—let us use our light to drive out the darkness.

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