Women face less risk than men of incurring a critical illness.
In a first national study, the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance reveals the risk of having a critical illness for men and women up to age 55.
AACII's first National Critical Illness Risk Assessment Study, prepared by actuarial firm Milliman Inc., found 17 percent of non-smoking men and 36 percent of male smokers who reach the age of 55 without having a critical illness will be diagnosed with one prior to turning age 65. For women who reach age 55, only 12 percent of non-smokers and 23 percent of smokers will face a critical illness before age 65.
