Quantifying Mortality and Morbidity Impacts from Climate Risks: A Practical Framework for Decision-Making

How can actuaries assess mortality and morbidity risk when historical experience may no longer fully reflect a changing climate environment? In this episode of the Research Insights Podcast, Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the Society of Actuaries Research Institute, welcomes Carlos Arocha, FSA, SCR, and Jérôme Crugnola-Humbert, SAV, IA, authors of the report Quantifying Mortality and Morbidity Impacts from Climate Risks: A Practical Framework for Decision-Making. Carlos and Jérôme discuss how climate hazards, population exposure and vulnerability can translate into life and health outcomes and ultimately affect actuarial decision-making. They explore why historical mortality and morbidity data alone may be insufficient in a changing risk environment, how climate-related variables can be incorporated into mortality modeling, and what a case study examining France, Italy and Spain can teach actuaries about interpreting forward-looking scenarios. The conversation also examines the "streetlight effect" and the "quantitative fallacy," along with practical considerations for life and health insurers seeking to better understand and prepare for climate-related risks. Listen to the episode and explore the full report, accompanying actuarial toolkit, and additional research from the Society of Actuaries Research Institute by visiting SOA.org and navigating to the Catastrophe & Climate research area. Read the Report:  https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2026/climate-mortality-morbidity-framework/