Health and Life Insurers Weigh Effects of Global Warming

03/10/2010

Certain health conditions may be linked to climate change, according to a recent report by the New York Times. Still, health and life insurance providers remain divided over how to respond.

Increased temperatures may allow insects to increase their range and lead to higher incidence of malaria, lung illnesses, heat waves and other health risks witnessed in warmer climates. Wetter weather and extreme storms could further increase the spread of these illnesses.

"Still, the climate is just one piece in the complex puzzle of people's health," the report said. "Medicine, education, wealth and other factors all make a difference."

Warmer winters may even be healthy for consumers, according to the report, because they reduce the number of cold-related deaths and illnesses.

New insurance regulations will require that companies earning at least $500 million in premiums annually to disclose efforts taken to address climate-related risks. Similar surveys conducted last year showed that measuring the climate's effect on health care would not be credible, according to the report.

Still, regulators and climate advocates have urged life insurers to look beyond mortality rates and into their company's investments, many of which include buildings and real estate. Making these developments more environmentally friendly could reduce health risks from global warming, while investing in clean transportation may decrease asthma rates.

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