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‘think’ thought leadership series

This series takes a fresh, sometimes challenging, look at some of the issues facing the actuarial profession and society

The ‘think’ series aims to promote debate on topics across the spectrum of actuarial work and beyond. It looks to provide a platform for members and stakeholders to share views that may differ from the IFoA’s ‘house’ view.

Through this, we hope to challenge the status quo within the profession, question orthodoxy, and shine a light on complex or under-examined issues. At its heart, the series is about stimulating discussion and dialogue to help tackle issues from a different perspective.

 

Edition 14: Weighing up the future: The value of weight management

The fourteenth edition in our ‘think’ series has been authored by Mei Sum Chan, Sreenidhi Venkatesh and Stuart McDonald from Lane Clark and Peacock’s Health Analytics Team. Mei also serves as a member of the IFoA Health and Care Board and Stuart is Deputy Chair of the Continuous Mortality Investigation and founded the influential Covid-19 Actuaries Response Group.

In this piece, the authors consider the economic and societal impacts that the development of antiobesity medications (AOMs) will have on insurance, pension schemes, public policy and the future economic and healthcare landscape.

Read the full piece to find out how the evolving burden of obesity and increasing use of weight management strategies will impact population demographics and the economy. 

Ask the author

Don’t miss the chance to join Stuart McDonald on 12 November, 12:00 to 12:30 PM for an engaging Q&A session on IFoA Communities. He will take a deeper look into the think piece and answer your questions live.

Weighing up the future: The value of weight management

Weighing up the future: The value of weight management

Author: Mei Sum Chan, Sreenidhi Venkatesh and Stuart McDonald. PDF, 3 MB
Read issue 14
Previous editions
‘think’ edition 13: The agentic model office: AI agents and the future of insurance organisations

‘think’ edition 13: The agentic model office: AI agents and the future of insurance organisations

The thirteenth edition in our ‘think’ series has been authored by Daniel Ramsay
Read issue 13
‘think’ edition 12: UK Stamp Duty: a path to enhanced mobility and social mobility

‘think’ edition 12: UK Stamp Duty: a path to enhanced mobility and social mobility

The twelfth edition in our ‘think’ series has been authored by IFoA Fellows Jake Iveson and Sarah Iveson.
Read issue 12
‘think’ edition 11: Behavioural interventions for building climate resilience

‘think’ edition 11: Behavioural interventions for building climate resilience

The eleventh edition in this series has been authored by IFoA Fellow Rajeshwarie VS as a follow-up to issue 4.
Read issue 11
‘think’ edition 10: Student loans: failing students

‘think’ edition 10: Student loans: failing students

The tenth publication in the ‘think’ series has been authored by Richard Hartigan, Chair of the IFoA General Insurance Standards and Consultations Committee (GISCC) and member of the General Insurance Board.
Read issue 10
‘think’ edition 9: The population implosion: what choices do we have?

‘think’ edition 9: The population implosion: what choices do we have?

Our ninth publication in the ‘think’ series has been authored by insurance professional and IFoA Council member Dermot Grenham.
Read issue 9
‘think’ edition 8: Potholes and possibilities: the policy and reputational road ahead for insurance

‘think’ edition 8: Potholes and possibilities: the policy and reputational road ahead for insurance

Our eighth publication in the ‘think’ series has been authored by insurance consultant Seth Williams.
Read issue 8
‘think’ edition 7: UK longevity – are we missing a trick?

‘think’ edition 7: UK longevity – are we missing a trick?

Our seventh publication in the ‘think’ series has been authored by Esther McNamara, Senior Health Policy Lead at the International Longevity Centre.
Read issue 7
‘think’ edition 6: Public private partnerships – why the time is ripe for a new generation of smarter PPPs to flourish

‘think’ edition 6: Public private partnerships – why the time is ripe for a new generation of smarter PPPs to flourish

Our sixth publication in the ‘think’ series has been authored by Chris Lewin, Chair of the IFoA Infrastructure Working Party.
Read issue 6
‘think’ edition 5: Clearing the air: the UK’s plan for a smoke free generation

‘think’ edition 5: Clearing the air: the UK’s plan for a smoke free generation

Our fifth publication in the ‘think’ series has been authored by IFoA Honorary Fellow Nicola Draper.
Read issue 5
‘think’ edition 4: The Brain Game: How can actuaries leverage behavioural economics?

‘think’ edition 4: The Brain Game: How can actuaries leverage behavioural economics?

Our fourth publication in the ‘think’ series is by IFoA Fellow Rajeshwarie VS.
Read issue 4
‘think’ edition 3: Tackling the gender pensions gap – the road to financial equality in retirement

‘think’ edition 3: Tackling the gender pensions gap – the road to financial equality in retirement

Our third publication in the ‘think’ series has been authored by Now:Pensions.
Read issue 3
‘think’ edition 2: Much to GAIN – valuing neurodiversity in the workplace

‘think’ edition 2: Much to GAIN – valuing neurodiversity in the workplace

Our second publication in the ‘think’ series is by Dr Vina Theodorakopoulou, a behavioural economist.
Read issue 2
‘think’ edition 1: Revolutionising fairness to enable digital insurance

‘think’ edition 1: Revolutionising fairness to enable digital insurance

Our first publication in the ‘think’ series is by Duncan Minty, a chartered insurance practitioner and independent ethics adviser.
Read issue 1
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Contact us

If you have any questions or would like to contribute to a future ‘think’ piece, please contact the IFoA Policy Team.

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