Change in the panorama of chronic diseases and their insurability by life insurance
Fröhlich, E.M.
Versicherungsmedizin 41(3): 97-102
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0933-4548 PMID: 2734988 Document Number: 335570
The health condition of man has changed considerably since life insurance companies have been established. The initial problem of the companies was the fact that many young persons died from tuberculosis. For many decades persons from families with tuberculosis cases or with underweight were not accepted for insurance on their lives. Nevertheless companies observed many deaths causes by this disease. Medical directors and actuaries studied these cases in detail (dates and numbers), even of the deceased. The resulting statistics formed the premium calculation basis for persons with an increased risk. Comparative studies allowed acceptance for more people. Within the last decades when sulfonamides, antibiotics and insulin were discovered and produced the mortality ratio decreased. Nowadays, even persons who suffered from tuberculosis do not present an increased risk anymore. The life expectancy has doubled during the last century. This is why degenerative diseases increased, especially the coronary heart diseases. While thirty years ago the mortality ratio stood at about 500%, improved medical and surgical therapy made prognosis easier and when risk factors can be eliminated the mortality ratio tends to be less than 200%. Since insulin is available, patients with type I-diabetes do not die anymore in coma, the remaining risk is the sclerosis of the vessels. Diabetes with adults increases with overweight, high blood pressure and hyperlipemia. The mortality ratio depends on these risk factors. Morbus Crohn, first described in 1932, seems to increase. Life insurance needs more long-term statistical data. For only some years we are confronted with the immunodeficiency "Aids".