Report delves into implications for insurers from emerging medical trends
Munich Re’s latest Life Science Report delves into the emerging medical trends and risks and implications for life and health insurers. The report is split into five sections which analyses different topics: Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (released); Improving Cancer Outcomes (released); Prevention (releasing 18 February); Obesity (releasing 4 March); and Climate Change (releasing 18 March).
Insurance Business Mag ran an article where Dr. Brad Heltemes, VP & medical director of R&D at Munich Re, discusses the Improving Cancer Outcomes chapter. In particular, Heltemes highlights how identification of various gene alterations the drive the development of a cancer can be significantly different between two cancers that appear to be alike in location and appearance, giving as one example “…the multiple different gene signatures seen with non-small cell lung cancers, each which responds to a different targeted treatment and each having a different prognosis.”
New diagnostic tests and innovative treatments are also leading to improving cancer outcomes, with many cancers that used to be terminal now being able to be managed as chronic diseases. With patients leading longer, healthier lives (which is great news!), longevity models and expected treatment costs need to be re-examined.
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