Embracing Life Insurance Awareness Month: A Call to Action from the Insurance Collaboration to Save Lives

As we observe Life Insurance Awareness Month this September, the Insurance Collaboration to Save Lives (ICSL) urges individuals, families, and industry leaders to reflect not only on the financial security that life insurance provides but also on its profound potential to preserve and extend human life. Founded in 2023 by insurance experts, medical doctors, and actuaries, ICSL is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering global insurers to save one million lives through proactive health initiatives. In a world where health trends are deteriorating alarmingly, life insurance isn't just a safety net—it's a frontline tool for combating elevated mortality and morbidity. Drawing from our research analysis of both mortality and morbidity data, we highlight the urgent health crisis facing Americans and how the insurance industry can lead the charge toward better outcomes. 

September reminds us that life insurance protects loved ones from financial devastation in the event of untimely death. Yet, at ICSL, we see an even greater opportunity: leveraging the vast data and resources of the insurance sector to prevent those deaths in the first place. Our mission stems from a stark reality—America's health is in decline, particularly among younger populations. While elderly mortality has improved post-COVID, younger adults continue to face elevated risks, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. 

ICSL’s research team has identified five key drivers of mortality: cardiac and circulatory, neurological, metabolic, cancer, and external causes (e.g., mental health issues). Conditions such as hypertension, stroke, kidney disease, liver disease, and obesity have significantly increased across various age groups as both underlying and contributing causes of death. While mortality from lung and breast cancer is declining for most age groups, other cancers, including colorectal and liver cancer, are rising at an alarming rate, particularly among younger populations. 

ICSL also uncovered the dramatic increase in morbidity in both U.S. government data and German hospitalizations, which highlights the importance for advisors to bring attention to life insurance financial protection. As of July 2025, morbidity is running at an all-time high for the U.S. population and those eligible for the workforce according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Morbidity is a leading indicator of future mortality, and is currently heading in a disastrous direction. 

The life insurance industry typically mitigates mortality and morbidity risk through reinsurance and other risk transfer methods, as opposed to implementing risk management practices commonly seen in annual property and casualty insurance reviews. With few exceptions, efforts to develop innovative and cost-effective wellness programs to improve policyholders' health have been virtually nonexistent. With mortality and morbidity rates rising rapidly during the pandemic, ICSL's visionary leaders recognized an opportunity to introduce risk management strategies for life insurers, targeting existing policyholders to reverse these trends and promote healthier communities. 

With a bold vision, our organization partnered with Ulta Labs to develop three advanced blood testing panels to empower insurers, employers, and families with rapid insights into individual health. These panels target biomarkers strongly correlated with all-cause mortality, including cardiac markers (hs-CRP, troponin, D-dimer, NT-proBNP) and immune system markers (Vitamin D, HgbA1C, and CEA). A pilot study of 29 participants—team members, family, and friends—revealed that 14% had three or more elevated cardiometabolic markers, facilitating timely medical interventions. Imagine if life insurers and employers could identify and support 14% of their in-force policyholders or employees for critical treatment, potentially averting catastrophic health events and saving lives in both the short and long term. Insurers, employers, and communities can unite their resources to reverse these trends and promote healthier lives. 

Our ICSL team is committed to shining a light on the power of collaboration, and the multiplying effect it can have through the insurance industry and beyond. We hope you join us in our mission to save one million lives—contact us today to learn how you can join the initiative! 

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