CMI contributes to analysis of post-pandemic mortality

4 December 2023

The Continuous Mortality investigation (CMI) has contributed to a recent commentary in the Lancet Regional Health – Europe, “Excess mortality in England post Covid-19 pandemic: implications for secondary prevention”. This uses excess mortality analysis from the CMI Mortality Monitor as well as related analysis by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID). Comparing results from different methods gives greater insight and confidence in the conclusions drawn.

The CMI analysis showed that the largest relative excess deaths in 2022 were for young (20-44 years) and middle-aged (45-64 years) adults.

The new OHID analysis considers how excess mortality has varied by age band and cause of death. It shows that for ages 50-64 deaths between June 2022 and June 2023 were 33% higher than expected for cardiovascular diseases, 35% higher than expected for diabetes, and 43% higher than expected for acute respiratory diseases.

Stuart McDonald MBE, Deputy Chair of the CMI, said:

“We continue to see persistent excess mortality, particularly for the working age population, years after the start of the coronavirus pandemic. This is an important and challenging issue for public health as well as for actuaries and others considering the financial consequences.

“The timely and granular OHID analysis is helpful in providing greater understanding of the reasons for recent excess mortality, and we look forward to working with them and the ONS in the future.”

~ENDS~

Contact

Sonia Sequeira, Communications Lead, IFoA
Tel: 07525 592 198
Email: sonia.sequeira@actuaries.org.uk

Notes to Editor

1. The Lancet commentary “Excess mortality in England post Covid-19 pandemic: implications for secondary prevention”. December 2023.

2. The Continuous Mortality Investigation (CMI) publishes UK mortality analysis through its mortality monitor. The CMI publishes mortality monitors regularly:

  • Each week we publish a summary monitor, without a press release. The next is planned for week 47 of 2023 on Tuesday 5 December 2023.
  • Each quarter we publish more detail, accompanied by a press release. The next is planned for week 1 of 2024, in January 2024.

About the Continuous Mortality Investigation

Continuous Mortality Investigation Limited (‘the CMI’) is wholly owned by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries but has an independent executive and management.

The CMI’s mission is to produce high-quality impartial analysis, standard tables and models of mortality and morbidity for long-term insurance products and pension scheme liabilities on behalf of subscribers and, in doing so, to further actuarial understanding.

About the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries

The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) is a royal chartered, not-for-profit, professional body.

Research undertaken by the IFoA is not commercial. As a learned society, research helps us to fulfil our royal charter requirements to further actuarial science and serve the public interest.

Actuaries provide commercial, financial and prudential advice on the management of a business’s assets and liabilities, especially where long term management and planning are critical to the success of any business venture. They also advise individuals, and advise on social and public interest issues.

Members of the IFoA have a statutory role in the supervision of pension funds and life insurance companies. They also have a statutory role to provide actuarial opinions for managing agents at Lloyd’s of London.

Members are governed by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. A rigorous examination system is supported by a programme of continuing professional development and a professional code of conduct supports high standards reflecting the significant role of actuaries in society.

The IFoA is available to provide independent expert comment to the media on a range of actuarial-related issues, including COVID-19 and its long term consequences, mortality, pensions, life and general insurance, health and care, finance and investment, climate change and sustainability, systems thinking, uncertainty and judgement, and risk management.