Statistics: From evidence to policy

The discipline of statistics, we as individual statisticians, and the American Statistical Association (ASA) have been called to action. We can and must play a vital part in the gathering, analysis, interpretation, and communication of evidence for informed policy decisions. I ask you to answer yes and to take on the role of an honest broker of policy alternatives. I ask you to support a proactive engagement by the ASA in informing policy. While interaction in policy forums by the ASA is an opportunity to integrate the science of statistics into policy, it also represents a responsibility, because the association serves not only its members, but also the public. Statistics can have a major impact in the journey from evidence to policy. A current illustration in the evidence-based medicine context is comparative effectiveness research, which received focus and funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The time is now for us to take action as a discipline, as individuals, and as an association to ensure that policy decisions are driven by evidence.