A number of calls, and emails, have come across my desk questioning the risk of H1N1 in our senior population. Obviously, it's a key question in the life settlement realm as we only underwrite ages above 65, average age of 78. I have continued to monitor this in earnest thru daily news releases, CDC announcements, and friend/associates active in the health care industries.
As we stand today, the general consensus is that the seniors appear to be spared by the H1N1 virus. The Today Show's Dr. Nancy Schneiderman indicated in this mornings newscast that of the known cases, 93% of those are affecting those under the age of 26, and a very limited number of seniors are in the remaining 7%. She went on to say that those born prior to 1968 have been previously exposed to similar strains and as such are not being affected.
I also came across an article (www.cleveland.com) which noted the following;
[In today's Senior Health column, Dr. Jennifer Hanrahan, an infectious disease specialist for the MetroHealth System, explains why the elderly are not among those targeted for the H1N1 vaccine. "Seniors may have some residual immunity from exposure to a previous influenza strain in the '50s, she says. And, if you look at the hospitalizations and deaths, the proportion of those over age 60 is very small"]
This is the one time I am happy to say I am in the pre-1968 generation!
Underwriting "Term Du Jour" : BTSA : Better than stated age
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