This review was undertaken for the Faculty and Institute of Actuaries as part of their programme to encourage research collaborations between health researchers and actuaries in order to understand better the factors influencing mortality and longevity. The authors presented their findings in a number of linked sessions at the Edinburgh conference (Joining Forces on Mortality and Longevity) in October 2009 and contributed to this overview. The purpose is to review evidence for the impact on adult mortality of characteristics of the individual's lifetime socioeconomic or psychosocial environment or phenotype at the behavioural; multi-system (e.g. cognitive and physical function); or body system level (e.g. vascular and metabolic traits) that may be common risk factors for a number of major causes of death. This review shows there is growing evidence from large studies and systematic reviews that these individual characteristics, measured in pre-adult as well as the adult life, are associated with later mortality risk. The relative contribution of lifetime environment, genetic factors and chance, whether these contributions change with age, and the underlying social and biological pathways are still to be clarified. This review identifies areas where further life course research is warranted.

Introduction. Higher allocation of land in favour of fruits is vital to raise the farm income and productivity, but such an opportunity is also complemented with higher risk and uncertainty. Economic expectation assumes a great role, while such decisions have an impact on the welfare of farmers in terms of their income and risk. In this paper, we examined the nature of price expectations, their relationship with other economic factors, and analysed the importance of price and income expectations of the fruit (apple) growers on their land allocation decisions. Materials and methods. In this paper, the elicitation technique was used to obtain both price and income expectations of apple growers. The price expectations were compared with the actual price of apple over the last three years and then linked with farmers' input-use propensities. A regression method was used to identify the role of expectations in the decision of land allocation in favour of apple crops. Results and conclusion. Our results showed that better price expectation improves the input-use (generally labour) propensities. However, for allocation of the inelastic factor of production, i.e., land, in favour of a fruit crop, it is the income expectations that explain farmers’ decisions. Farmers’ capacity to generate higher productivity along with the better market prospects together explain their decision regarding allocating land to high value fruit crops.

Introduction. Growing demand in Europe for healthy and nutritious food and beverage products with new flavours creates opportunities for supplying the European market with novel fruit juices including tropical fruits like açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.). Materials and methods. One tropical fruit species from Brazil, i.e., açaí, was selected as a case species. Via expert interviews, a review of consumer studies regarding tropical fruit consumption, field visits and literature research, a SWOT analysis was conducted in order to map the opportunities, threats, strengths and weaknesses related to açaí and its potential in the West European fruit juice industry. Results. Opportunities stem from growing consumer interest in natural, healthy and nutritious fruit juices, the need for health-oriented innovations in the food industry and growing interest in variety, novel tastes and ethnic foods. Unfamiliarity, health claim credibility and European market access requirements constitute the main threats. Strengths pertain to the nutritional value of açaí and its tropical origin, and the existence of well-established national açaí markets and processing industries. Weaknesses result from the irregular supply and inconsistent açaí quality, lack of advanced know-how in cultivation and processing issues, and scant insights into the fruit’s nutrient profile. Conclusion. The findings indicate that açaí, which has outstanding nutritional values and health-related benefits, could have substantial potential in the West European fruit juice market. Key attention points pertain to creating awareness among consumers and building familiarity with açaí and its products, and obtaining in-depth knowledge about its nutritional characteristics and concomitant health benefits.