In this presentation, Kara Clark, Senior Research Actuary at the Society of Actuaries Research Institute, discusses findings from the Long-Term Drivers of Future Mortality report, focusing on the role of lifestyle in shaping future mortality trends. The video explores key behavioral factors—diet, physical activity, smoking, substance use, and stress—and their cumulative effects on longevity. While small improvements in smoking cessation and activity levels may yield short-term gains, worsening trends in diet, obesity, and stress could offset them. Ultimately, lifestyle stands out as the most modifiable driver of mortality, highlighting opportunities for actuaries to study how behavior, health education, and technology may influence risk, pricing, and longevity forecasts.
Contributors: Kara Clark, FSA, MAAA; Shirley Ai Yan Wu, FSA, Jon Forster, ASA, MAAA