Women in Health Economics and Outcomes Research

The ISPOR Women in Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) initiative is open to all ISPOR members who have an interest in the advancement of women in the field—both women and men. Much research has demonstrated that diversity is a business/performance issue not a women’s issue. This initiative seeks to foster diversity in HEOR—with the knowledge that diversity in the field will result in better research and better healthcare decisions.

Women in HEOR Session at ISPOR 2018

The Vision

The vision for ISPOR’s Women in HEOR initiative is to:

  • Support the growth, development, and contribution of women in HEOR
  • Serve as a catalyst for women’s leadership in the field
  • Offer a platform for ISPOR women to collaborate, network, share, and mentor each other

The Evidence

Considerable research shows that diverse teams and organizations significantly outperform those without diversity. For example, a report by McKinsey & Company showed that:

  • Companies in the top quartile for gender diversity were 15% more likely to have financial returns that were above their national industry median1

The data also show that women in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields are underrepresented.

  • Averaged across regions, women accounted for less than a third (28.8%) of those employed in scientific research and development around the world in 20142

Additionally, research indicates that women in STEM earn less compared to men.

  • In the United States, women in computer, engineering, and science occupations were paid an estimated 83% of men’s annual median earnings in 2013.3

How to Get Involved

  • Attend Women in HEOR events at ISPOR’s annual conferences.
  • Look for and respond to an upcoming Women in HEOR member survey that will gain member input to help guide the initiative.
  • Complete the online form for the initiative to indicate your interest in volunteering and/or receiving information on Women in HEOR.

For additional information on the Women in HEOR initiative, please contact us.

 

References

1 “Diversity Matters” report; McKinsey & Company.
2 “The Bottom Line: Corporate Performance and Women’s Representation on Boards (2004-2008)”; Catalyst; UNESCO Institute for Statistics, UIS Fact Sheet: Women in Science (2017): p. 2.
3 From “The Bottom Line: Corporate Performance and Women’s Representation on Boards (2004-2008); Catalyst. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (2013).