Description: The percentage of the population who are obese has grown dramatically worldwide over the last several decades, although stabilizing recently in the United States. Studies have found the effects on mortality to be inconsistent and controversial because of methodological differences and the complexity of the relationship between obesity and mortality. This paper discusses this relationship and sheds light on the likely effects of this epidemic. Issues associated with the so-called obesity-mortality paradox, where mortality experience is lower for those individuals who are overweight and in some who are obese compared with the mortality of those in the normal weight category, are examined. Although certain recently reported studies of the relationship between mortality and obesity indicate that obesity is related to a reduced percent of additional mortality, this may in part be due to the shorter average time that those currently obese have been exposed to their condition. Nevertheless, the amount of health care costs and rates of disability associated with being obese are significant, contributing to the increase in overall health care costs as they become more numerous and age. Although obesity is being addressed with a great deal of activity and publicity, they will continue to prove challenging for individuals and society to manage and overcome.

Description: Sam Gutterman presents his paper, 'Expenses and Pricing', at this session at the SOA 1998 Maui I Spring Meeting. He discusses the need to control expenses and reflect them appropriately in pricing as vital to an insurance company' s short-term and long-term success.

Description: Essay discussing cost, quality and access of healthcare and then describes the need for rationing.

Description: Full version of Product Matters! November 2003, Issue No. 57.

Description: This session from the 2003 SOA Orlando Meeting covers an update on IASB developments related to international accounting standards for insurance, fair value versus other measures, recognition of profits or losses at issue and balance sheet versus income statement focus for financial reporting. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 29, No. 3.

Description: The Financial Accounting Standards Board FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board IASB issued “The Norwalk Agreement” in October 2002, a memorandum of understanding that reaffirmed their commitment to develop a single set of high quality accounting standards. At that meeting the two standard setters agreed to place a high priority on three steps toward achieving that goal.

Description: This is a paper from the session on Climate Change Effects at the January 15-18, 2023, 2023 Living to 100 Symposium in Orlando, Florida.

Description: Exposure to cigarette smoke has had and will continue to have a huge effect on mortality. Significant differences in smoking prevalence rates by gender have contributed to differential levels and rates of improvement in mortality and are expected to continue to influence mortality improvement differently over the next several decades. This paper compares smoking prevalence and cessation by gender and their effect on smoking-attributable and, in turn, all-cause mortality. A summary of mortality attribution approaches used to evaluate the effect of smoking and projections of mortality rates by gender is also provided.

Description: Presented at October 1996 Annual Meeting. This session deals with the range of loan guarantee programs, program design, pricing and costing of benefits, classification of risks and underwriting, available experience, experience studies and claims management, and actuarial models.