Research Agenda
The HERO Research Agenda
The HERO Research Agenda reflects the research issues most important to HERO members and most likely to foster improvement in the field of workplace health and well-being (HWB). This Agenda is reviewed and updated annually by the Research Advisory Group (RAG).
Equity
- SDOH
- DE&I
- Access to care/condition management
- Technology/Digital therapeutics
HERO is interested in pursuing research that focuses on understanding practices that will improve health equity. HERO research aims to understand how factors and practices that address diversity, equity and inclusion, social determinants of health, and access to care and condition management may influence HWB outcomes.
Workplace Performance
- Small and mid-size business
- Evolving workplace best practices
- Key metrics and reporting framework
- Impact of HWB on key business outcomes
HERO is interested in research demonstrating how a comprehensive approach to workforce HWB – including physical, mental, social and financial well-being – advances strategic business performance objectives as well as individual employee performance. HERO research also focuses on understanding how HWB practices are evolving and best practices for small and mid-size organizations.
Mental & Emotional Health
- Burn-out
- Resiliency
- Loneliness/connectedness
- Post-pandemic mental health
HERO is interested in better understanding how to develop and measure successful HWB strategies that address workplace mental and emotional health. HERO research aims to focus on key and current workplace mental health topics, including post-pandemic mental health, resiliency, social connectedness, and burn-out.
Sustainability
- Organization sustainability efforts
- Connect HWB to sustainable development goals
- Overlap of HWB and climate change
- Workplace and community interface on HWB
HERO is interested in understanding how organizations collaborate with community partners to advance workforce HWB alongside broader organizational sustainability efforts that positively influence the enterprise, its people, and the surrounding environment. This priority also addresses the factors associated with the long-term sustainability of workforce HWB initiatives.
Accomplishing the Research Agenda
The HERO Research Agenda is accomplished through the efforts of the Research Committee, several Study Committees, focused workgroups, the use of the HERO Scorecard, and collaboration with other organizations.
The HERO Research Committee is comprised of the Research Advisory Group (RAG) and the Research Study Subcommittee (RSS). The RAG establishes HERO’s research agenda and priorities, while the RSS provides guidance and oversight of HERO research activities.
Topic-specific study committees and workgroups outside of the Research Committee often influence the scope or direction for HERO research activities by helping members understand what is already known about a given topic and by identifying knowledge and research gaps by conducting surveys, informational interviews or literature reviews; developing definitions and frameworks; and writing reports and case studies.
The visual diagram below describes how these committees work together to advance the HERO Research Agenda. A complete list of research-related publications and reports is available on the HERO website.
Research Development and Implementation Process
