We’re pleased to host issue #71 of Cavalcade of Risk here in our humble corner of the web. While risk is ubiquitous, in the current economic climate, times seem even more perilous – particularly when looking at charts for historical job losses during recessions. Ouch. We looked for something cheery to post but alarm seems pervasive. We may have to find a suitable cave to hunker down in. When all else fails, there’s always actuarial humor.
Risk grab bag
Nancy Germond of Risk Management for the 21st Century gets an experienced risk manager’s assessment of current loss trends in our troubled economic times, delineating areas in which risk managers will need to be particularly vigilant.
As if the risk to the public health wasn’t bad enough with the peanut butter salmonella debacle, Effect Measure discusses how the negative fallout of the associated bad public relations has taken a toll on the industry at large and put a serious dent in the “Made in America” brand.
How many insurance agents does it take to change a light bulb? Henry Stern of InsureBlog notes that sometimes risk is simply about assessing whether or not it’s safe to change a light bulb.
Does your project have “risks” or “issues”? At The Project Management Hut blog, PM Hut explains why it’s important to differentiate between the two.
And while on the topic of language associated with risk, Spire Security Viewpoint explains why “risk optimization” is not an oxymoron, offering a unique perspective on risk minimization.
Sean Fowden, writing at the Putik Blog, offers a five-step course on assessing risk, and explains how risk assessments might fit into our everyday lives.
Consumer Insurance Blog discusses a recent Not-in-Traffic Surveillance study, which sheds light on the surprising numbers and types of injuries that occur as a result of non-crash related accidents.
Russell W.P. Hutchinson of moneyblog examines the relationship between political systems and life expectancy.
In Frontier Justice, Jon Coppelman here at Workers Comp Insider looks at the risks posed to both employee and employer when opting out of the workers comp system.
Health matters & risk
Being treated in the hospital has become a risky proposition. Jason Shafrin of Healthcare Economist discusses a study which estimates the high costs of medical errors as evidenced by a study of 14 patient safety indicators.
Government-funded research to determine the efficacy of medical treatments? Joe Paduda of Managed Care Matters puts on his sarcasm hat to contemplate the horrors.
Caveat emptor. David E. Williams of Health Business Blog suggests that cardiac patients should be asking some hard questions because they could be at risk from high radiation CTA scans and radiologists aren’t doing a good enough job of mitigating that risk.
Louise of Colorado Health Insurance Insider notes that a new measure opening the state to out-of-state health care plans runs the risk of ushering in lower quality health insurance products for Colorado consumers, which would be regulated by another state’s rules.
Color Jaan Sidorov of Disease Management Care Blog skeptical when it comes to recognizing Community Care of North Carolina’s Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) as the ‘The PCMH Saves Money’ poster child.
Michael Cannon of Cato@Liberty is willing to put his money where his mouth is to make a point about universal coverage.
At the Seek These Things blog, learn how the “sins of the fathers” are visited on their children due to increased risk of Celiac Disease.
Over at Life From Here, Luna reports on a recent study suggesting that the risk of developing ovarian cancer due to fertility drugs may be overblown, which could be good news for that young mother of octuplets from California.
Money matters & risk
Dorian Wales of Personal Financier poses the question as to whether valuation and risk measurement models are the root of all evil.
Risk Watcher Caroline Hamilton blogs on the risks financial institutions face by accepting TARP funds.
Given today’s market, is your best approach lump sum investing or dollar cost averaging? Silicon Valley Blogger of The Digerati Life compares investing frequency methods with an eye to minimizing investment risk.
Looking for a relatively safe haven for your money in today’s tumultuous times? Jacques Sprenger of The Smarter Wallet looks at the pros and cons of fixed annuities for those who wish to down the risk in their investment portfolio.
Are online banks risky? Only when you don’t do your homework, suggests Jim of Bargaineering, who offers various online bank profiles, including FDIC coverage, history, and other useful information.
At American Consumer News, Sid Smith issues some warnings about discount cards pitched as an affordable insurance option for your health care needs.
MoneyBlueBook looks at the proposed stimulus package and contemplates what might happen if the government diverted all the bailout money and stimulus spending into large stimulus checks for all U.S. workers who filed federal income tax.
Thanks to all this week’s contributors – there were far too many submissions to include them. Next up to bat: moneyblog on February 25.
