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Pandemic

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Global reinsurers’ profitability improve in H1, inflation and rate deceleration remain concern, Willis Re

Continued favourable pricing, particularly for commercial lines business, supported meaningful premium growth for the
majority of the (re)insurers
The average combined ratio for the (re)insurers was 93.7%,with every company posting a sub-100% combined ratio.
Despite the strong H1, two concerns weigh on the outlook: the decelerating rating environment and the prospect of higher inflation, said the report.

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Study suggests ways to support kids’ mental health during pandemic

The authors said , “Mental health problems increased dramatically among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among those who experienced high levels of pandemic-related stressors including serious illness or death of a family member, significant financial loss, and social isolation.”

They concluded, “A number of simple strategies families engaged in appeared to promote better mental health during the pandemic including having a structured daily routine, limiting passive screen time use, limiting exposure to news media about the pandemic, and to a lesser extent spending more time in nature, and getting the recommended amount of sleep.” 

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Pandemic threatens Asia-Pacific’s progress on global development goals, says ADB

Developing Asia’s extreme poverty rate – or the proportion of its people living on less than $1.90 a day – would have fallen to 2.6% in 2020 from 5.2% in 2017 without COVID-19, but the crisis likely pushed last year’s projected rate higher by about 2 percentage points, ADB simulations showed.
The figure could even be higher considering the inequalities in areas like health, education and work disruptions that have deepened as the COVID-19 crisis disrupted mobility and stalled economic activity, the ADB said in a flagship report on the region.

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Severe Covid-19 breakthrough cases mostly in older, sicker patients: Doctors

Such “breakthrough” cases have become central to a global debate over whether highly vaccinated countries should give booster doses of Covid-19 vaccines, and to which people. Israel began offering booster doses to people age 60 and up in July, and has since expanded that eligibility.

The United States, citing data out of Israel and other findings, said on Wednesday it would make booster doses available to all Americans beginning in September. 

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