underwriting

Swine Flu A H1N1

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Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Infection in Two Children — Southern California, March–April 2009

Overall mortality in reported H5N1 cases (Avian) is approximately 60% according to the CDC.  Now we have to worry about pigs too.

Addendum:

Due to the usual obnoxious level of media coverage, this particular post is getting visited often.  I want to clarify my meaning of the last sentence above.  This sentence  in the original post is a reference to a state of increased awareness and vigilance about the possibility of pandemic flu. You cannot get swine flu from pigs or from eating pig products.  In the future I will try to be more clear in my posts.


Remote Underwriting Positions Available

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Examination Management Services, Inc.

Addendum July 24, 09

If you are searching for work and have found this post, please pay particular attention to the date of the post.  The owner of this blog has not contacted nor has any current information regarding any possible openings.  Please contact the company directly and best of luck in  your search.

Addendum March 2011

Looking for Underwriting Consultants with Health/DI and Reinsurance disciplines. Remote positions-flexible schedules. Call or email Traci Davis VP Underwriting Operations.

Listen and Learn – Motorcycle Fatalities Up in US Military

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U.S. Military Combats Rising Motorcycle Fatalities : NPR

In 2008, more service members died in motorcycle crashes than ever before — 126 from all four services. The Army saw a 24 percent increase in fatalities, and both the Marines and the Navy report significant increases as well. Top safety chiefs across the military have identified motorcycles as the No. 1 safety concern off the battlefield.

How to Predict the Probability of ESRD

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Medical News: Two Tests Are Better Than One for Renal Disease Prognosis – in Nephrology, ESRD from MedPage Today

Among the predictive models, the best clinical model based on age, gender, physical activity, diabetes, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive medication, and HDL cholesterol correctly classified 86.4% of patients in the general population who did and did not progress to end-stage renal disease.

The albumin-to-creatinine ratio performed better, correctly identifying 89.3%. Estimated GFR alone was better yet (93.3%).

Combining the two marginally improved prediction overall (93.6%), but substantially improved the more important true-positive rate across all potential screening populations.

Binge Drinking – the MMWR Version

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Sociodemographic Differences in Binge Drinking Among Adults — 14 States, 2004

I like the Medpage article title better but the details in the original MMWR summary are a lot better.  For example:

However, after adjusting for sex and age, the highest average number of binge drinking episodes during the preceding 30 days was reported by binge drinkers whose household income was <$25,000. (4.9), and the highest average number of drinks per binge episode was reported by non-Hispanic blacks (8.4) and Hispanics (8.1).

Know your sources, read widely, and don’t make broad assumptions from titles.

Remote Underwriting With Turkeys – Avoid SSS (Sadder and Sicker Syndrome)

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Career Women at Midlife: Sadder and Sicker – BusinessWeek

Reading this article should be a stark reminder to managers in all industries of the growing need to provide flexible work arrangements.  Remote work, telecommuting, flex hours, work from home, job sharing, reduced work schedules, whatever.  Sad and sick employees cannot be a good thing.

Hence another strong motivator to get your underwriters out of the office.

If you’re reading this post and looking for a remote underwriting position do revisit this blog periodically.  I offer up some good tips on job search websites.  Additionally, UWS LLC may have a need for contract underwriters in the near future.

Remote, of course.

Size Matters – J-Shaped Mortality Curve With BMI

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While browsing the online Lancet website I came accross the following article.  A J-shaped mortality curve should come as no surprise.

The Lancet, Early Online Publication, 18 March 2009

doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60318-4Cite or Link Using DOI
Editors’ note: Around the world, increasing body-mass index (BMI) is a major public concern. Rightly so, according to this international collaborative analysis of almost 1 million people, followed from middle age in 57 prospective studies. A J-shaped mortality curve is observed, with optimal survival at a BMI of 22•5–25 kg/m2. Above this range, mortality from several causes—especially vascular diseases—was increased. Moderate obesity (BMI 30–35) was associated with 3 years’ loss of life. People with extreme obesity (BMI 40–50) lost 10 years of life, equivalent to the years lost by lifetime smoking.