Thinly capitalized life/health companies, or those whose portfolios are heavily weighted to structured investment products or commercial mortgage-related investments, are likely to be more prone to impairment this year, according to new A.M. best research, “U.S. Life/Health - 1976-2007 Impairment Review.” A deteriorating economy and turbulent financial markets are expected to steer the 2008 life/health impairment rate higher than the 2007 rate of 0.39%, which included six financial impairments. The leading causes of impairment -- inadequate pricing, affiliate problems, rapid growth and investment problems—accounted for 75% of impairments, according to the special report, featured in BestWeek U.S./Canada. A.M. Best, Oldwick, N.J.; May 23, 2008 — visit www.ambest.com for more information.