opinion

Racist soap dispensers and other tales of health measurement bias

In early-2022, UK Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, put the topics of selection, sample and measurement bias in life and health insurance under the microscope by announcing an investigation into a potential bias in oximeters. Specifically, whether bias was a contributing factor to worse outcomes for ethnic minorities during the COVID-19 pandemic. While, on the face of it, this is an isolated incident, it is actually more commonplace than you may think.

by Adele Turner and Shannon Stainwright

Highlights

Covid-19 Blog

Actuarial proactivity must counter COVID pandemic fatigue

In this opinion piece, Brent Walker reflects on his long experience in health insurance and how individual lifestyle decisions influence healthcare utilisation. Brent compares these past lessons to what we have learned in the two years since the earliest known cases of COVID-19 emerged. The recently emerging Omicron variant reinforces the need for actuaries to continue to progress the thinking on how their clients should respond to this apparently endemic virus.

by Brent Walker

Covid-19 Blog

Is Omicron less severe than Delta? Still too early to tell

Since the Omicron variant was first identified as a variant of concern, everyone wants to understand the severity. An initial study in South Africa suggests Omicron is less severe, whereas a UK study finds no difference. My view? Still too early to tell.

by Jennifer Lang

Uncertainty and actuarial thinking

Rodney Lester gives an opinion on the pitfalls of overreliance on probability and risk models in insurance and how a greater appreciation of uncertainty can improve actuarial thinking.

by Rodney Lester and @Millicent1

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