A 25-year old smoker has a 49 percent chance of incurring a critical illness such as cancer, stroke, or heart attack before reaching the age of 65, says a new study published by the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance (AACII). A non-smoker of the same age has only half the risk (24 percent).
The new critical illness risk assessment conducted by Milliman, Inc studies the likelihood of a person incurring a life-threatening illness (cancer, heart attack, or stroke) up to age 55. The study revealed that in general, women face fewer risks than men at all ages, and non-smoking women are among those with the lowest risk: 12 percent of female non-smokers who reach age 55 will incur a critical illness by age 65. For women who smoke, that risk is increased to 23 percent. Comparatively, 17 percent of male non-smokers who reach age 55 will get a critical illness before reaching 65, versus 36 percent for smokers.
Jesse Sloame, executive director of the association responded to the findings saying, "Cancer, heart attacks and strokes happen at all ages and most people are not prepared for either the emotional or financial cost. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. bankruptcies are the result of medical expenses and 78 percent of those filing for bankruptcy had health insurance when they were first diagnosed."
