Description: This session is based on research sponsored by the Society of Actuaries Mortality and Longevity Strategic Research Program, the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, and the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries to develop new methods and tools to enhance current mortality modeling and measurement actuarial practices. The presentation will discuss research accomplishments to date including a new mortality dataset that subdivides the U.S. population by education level and provides insightful analysis on mortality inequalities and mortality by cause of death. Additionally, research currently being performed or planned will be explained.

Description: Dr Horvath's research lies at the intersection of aging research, epidemiology, chronic diseases, epigenetics, genetics, and systems biology. He works on all aspects of biomarker development with a particular focus on genomic biomarkers of aging. He developed a highly accurate multi-tissue biomarker of aging known as the epigenetic clock. Dr Horvath developed systems biologic approaches such as weighted gene co-expression network analysis which lend themselves for integrating gene genomic data sets. These methods have been used for a broad spectrum of age-related diseases including neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, cardiovascular disease. Dr. Horvath received a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 1995 and a Doctorate of Science in Biostatistics from the Harvard School of Public Health in 2000.

Description: Papers: Chronic Diseases and Longevity Risk: An Application to Type II Diabetes Insurance Products – Hsin-Chung Wang, Ph.D. - Aletheia University; Jack C. Yue, ASA, Ph.D. – National Chengchi University; Ting-Chung Chang - Chihlee University of Technology Understanding Multimorbidities - Sam Gutterman, FSA, CERA, FCA, FCAS, HONFIA, MAAA

Description: Two recent SOA research projects will be discussed. The first covers analysis of the drivers of mortality that shaped trends in US mortality. The second will look at using causes of death to predict future mortality improvements

Description: In this session, panelists discuss the rationale behind aging research. They will explore recent demographic and biological insights. They will then explore when those breakthroughs could happen, what would their impact be on our understanding of mortality and mortality rates and the effect on different groups. Finally, it will be a chance to have your questions answered by that eminent set of panelists.