Millions of overweight and obese individuals are at increased risk of non-communicable diseases and early mortality than the non-obese. RGA's Hilary Henly explores what insurers need to know about the consequences of rising obesity rates and dietary trends across the globe.

Most cases of bronchial asthma are not an underwriting worry. It is a common disease, affecting between five to 10 percent of the population. But asthma is also becoming more concerning than it was ten or twenty years ago. Prevalence, hospitalizations, and fatal asthma cases have all increased, and there were close to 4,000 asthma deaths in the United States last year. Knowing which cases are the most concerning is the key to successful underwriting and case placement.

A cloud of uncertainty? In ReFlections, RGA's Hilary Henly, investigates growing use of e-cigarettes and the practice of vaping among the young and exposes adverse health effects, unknown risk, and the increased potential for long-term dependence.