20 January 2020
On 4 November 2019 I chaired a Sessional meeting for the Health and Care practice area. Hot Topics in Health and Care is an established annual event covering two or three varied topics. Authors write a short paper which is made available before the event and they present their findings to attendees from the actuarial profession and more widely.
The first paper, Impactability modelling: a worked example in Type II diabetes was presented by Josephine Robertson. Josephine discussed her research which she has undertaken as part of a MSc in Public Health. This research covered how Impactability Modelling could be used to optimise the efficiency of treatment of Type 2 diabetes in the UK public health system, by identifying and focusing on the treatments with most successful outcomes. This could be used to inform future health care planning in the NHS.
The second paper, presented by Dr Mary Hall, from Dublin City University, covered her research on Seasonal mortality at older ages in England & Wales (1993-2016). Her presentation defined a measure for Excess Winter Mortality, and then considered the impact and influence of interventions, such as winter fuel payments. There is a continuing need in understanding excess winter mortality, particularly when considering mortality assumptions at higher ages.
The event was well attended with over 100 attendees participating in a lively discussion on the two presentations, which continued over the drinks reception which followed. The papers are both available on the IFoA website.
This annual event will run again on 28 October 2020, so do consider attending.
Ewen Tweedie, Member of IFoA Health and Care Research Committee