In recognition of World Environmental Health Day, this episode of the Research Insights Podcast revisits a Research Insights Classic exploring climate change and its connection to health, risk, and decision-making.

The discussion examines how climate-related changes—including shifts in air quality, extreme heat, severe storms, and displacement—can affect health outcomes, economic stability, and the risks individuals, communities, and organizations may need to consider and plan for.

World Environmental Health Day highlights the important relationship between the environment and human health. This conversation offers a timely opportunity to revisit how changing environmental conditions can translate into real-world challenges and why understanding these interconnected risks continues to matter.

Listen now to revisit this Research Insights Classic and explore the connections between climate change, health, and risk.

Behavioral health is increasingly recognized as an important part of overall health—and an area where health plan sponsors, providers and actuaries have opportunities to improve outcomes.

In this episode of the Research Insights Podcast, Kara Clark, Senior Research Actuary at the Society of Actuaries Research Institute, is joined by Joan C. Barrett, FSA, MAAA, author of the report Developing and Evaluating Behavioral Health Solutions.

Their conversation explores the connection between behavioral and physical health, how behavioral health disorders are diagnosed and treated, and the barriers patients may face when seeking care. Joan also discusses emerging opportunities, including digital health applications, advances in treatment and genetics, evolving provider strategies, and the growing role of health plan sponsors in addressing behavioral health.

The episode also examines how actuaries can evaluate behavioral health solutions from both financial and stakeholder perspectives, with the goal of lowering total cost of care, improving quality of care and improving quality of life for patients and caregivers.

Tune in to learn more about the challenges, opportunities and evolving strategies shaping behavioral health today.

Series Landing page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2026/behavioral-health

Feedback at [email protected]

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/

The 2026 NAIC Summer National Meeting brought a wide range of actuarial and regulatory issues into focus, from mortality and expense assumptions to long-term care, artificial intelligence, catastrophe risk, insurance affordability and more.

In this episode of the Research Insights Podcast, Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the Society of Actuaries Research Institute, is joined by Geralyn Trujillo, Senior Director of Public Policy at the American Academy of Actuaries, for a recap of the meeting in Columbus, Ohio. Together, they explore key developments across the life, health and property and casualty practice areas and discuss what these evolving issues could mean for actuaries, regulators, consumers and the broader insurance system.

The conversation examines SOA Research Institute experience studies and emerging research, the Generally Recognized Expense Table (GRET), long-term care and combination products, the growing use and regulation of artificial intelligence in insurance, catastrophe risk, affordability, resilience and the increasingly interdisciplinary role of actuaries.

Listen to hear which developments from the NAIC Summer National Meeting may have the most momentum through the remainder of 2026—and what actuaries should keep on their radar.

In this episode of the Research Insights Podcast, Lisa Schilling, Director of Practice Research at the Society of Actuaries Research Institute, speaks with Dr. Rob Lieberthal, lead author of Evaluating Representativeness in Healthcare Claims Data: A Framework for Representativeness-Based Fairness in Actuarial Applications of AI.

Their discussion explores why strong overall model performance does not necessarily mean an AI or machine learning model performs equitably across populations. Dr. Lieberthal explains how gaps in healthcare claims data can affect rural, lower-income, underdiagnosed, and other populations—and why actuaries should examine representativeness before relying on model results.

Listeners will learn about the report's three-stage bias assessment covering input bias, model bias, and application bias; examples involving geographic representation, missing data, and intersectionality; and practical approaches for evaluating subgroup performance. The episode also highlights the companion Model Card Generator and Decision Assist Tool, which are designed to help actuaries document model limitations, compare model alternatives, and apply professional judgment throughout the modeling process.

Explore the full research report and companion resources through the Society of Actuaries Research Institute at SOA.org, and discover practical ways to strengthen fairness, transparency, and informed decision-making in actuarial applications of AI.

https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2026/dei127-represent-hc-data/

In recognition of International Youth Day, this episode of the Research Insights Podcast revisits the 2025 Case Study Challenge Winners.

The discussion highlights the winning team's approach to the challenge, including how they analyzed the case, developed their recommendations, and presented their findings. The episode also offers insight into the skills, collaboration, and creative thinking that helped distinguish their work.

International Youth Day celebrates the ideas, contributions, and potential of young people around the world. This conversation reflects that spirit by showcasing emerging actuarial talent and the fresh perspectives these students bring to complex real-world problems.

Listen now to hear from the 2025 Case Study Challenge winners and learn more about their award-winning work.

In recognition of Artificial Intelligence Appreciation Day, this episode of the Research Insights Podcast revisits "A Primer on Generative AI."

The discussion explores generative AI through an actuarial lens, examining what these tools are, what they can and cannot do, and how they can be used responsibly alongside actuarial judgment. It also covers practical applications, reliability, risk, and governance—key considerations as AI continues to reshape the way professionals work.

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into actuarial practice and the broader business landscape, this episode offers valuable insights for anyone looking to better understand both the opportunities and limitations of generative AI.

Listen now to revisit this timely and insightful conversation.

In this episode of the Research Insights Podcast, Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the Society of Actuaries Research Institute, discusses the 2024 Retirement Risk Survey Report of Findings with Griffin Lothrop and May Ling Hu of Deloitte. The conversation explores Americans' retirement concerns and preparedness, including retirement income, unexpected financial shocks, caregiving, family support, technology, inflation, and the evolving role of AI in retirement planning and financial decision-making. The survey includes more than 2,000 Americans ages 45 to 80, including both pre-retirees and retirees, and provides a broad view of the forces shaping retirement readiness and risk.

Listeners will gain insights into how pre-retirees and retirees are navigating inflation, early retirement, financial challenges, family support expectations, and technology adoption. The episode also highlights important considerations around AI use, data security, and how financial and technology providers can help retirees engage with digital tools safely and confidently.

Review the report: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2025/retirement-risk-survey-series/

In this episode of The Longevity Brief with Siegel and Clark, Steve Siegel and Kara Clark share a practical roundup of what is new across the Society of Actuaries Research Institute's Aging & Retirement and Mortality & Longevity Strategic Research Programs.

Steve Siegel, longtime SOA leader and contributor, provides updates from Aging & Retirement, including the 2024 Retirement Risk Survey Series, upcoming research launches, open calls, volunteer opportunities, and recent media or social mentions. Kara Clark highlights the latest from Mortality & Longevity, including the essay collection on obesity and its impact on mortality, upcoming launches, open requests for proposals, volunteer opportunities, and other key developments.

Listeners will also hear about current opportunities related to AI and large language model tools in retirement, long-term services and supports, macroeconomic indicators for mortality forecasting, and population-to-insured mortality translation. Tune in for a concise briefing on the research, tools, and opportunities shaping longevity, retirement, and mortality work.

In this episode of the Research Insights Podcast, Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the Society of Actuaries Research Institute, speaks with Rebecca Owen, FSA, MAAA, one of the authors of the SOA Research Institute report Beyond the Headlines: The 2025 Disaster Reshaping Risk.

Their conversation explores the 2025 Alaska floods, an event selected by the Catastrophe and Climate Research Program for its important implications for climate and catastrophe risk. The discussion highlights how this disaster affected remote Alaska Native villages, exposed infrastructure vulnerabilities, and raised important actuarial considerations around historical loss data, catastrophe modeling, pricing, reserving, capital frameworks and long-term climate risk projections.

Listeners will gain insight into why actuaries play a critical role in translating complex climate dynamics into actionable guidance for organizations, policymakers and communities preparing for emerging risks.

To learn more, read the report: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2026/2025-disaster-reshaping-risk/