Description: Presented at the Living to 100 Symposium, January 2011. In India, the prevalence of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases has been increasing tremendously. This spurt of diseases and the resultant morbidity is severely affecting the quality of life of the elderly. The problem is compounded by a medical and health care infrastructure which is inadequate to meet the challenge. This paper analyzes and estimates, using actuarial tools, the effect on the economy with particular focus on the present and future elderly segment of the population, identifies opportunities for insurers to address the situation, and suggests remedial measures to deal with the situation. Medico-actuarial studies in this area will also be covered.

Description: The history of life expectancy LE in India and its trend thus far as recorded in the various censuses over the decades. A study on the results of experience studies in the Indian context vis-à-vis the United States and European countries has been attempted since the LE in India is following more or less on the same lines with a time lag of about 50 years.