The paper reports the results and conclusions of a project which provided a statistical analysis of survival after stroke (or cerebrovascular disease) and derived appropriate life assurance underwriting ratings. The methodology used has been described elsewhere and will be referenced as needed.

The project forms a pilot study set up to consider the feasibility of collecting and analysing in detail the considerable medical and actuarial literature that has accumulated on the prognostic experience of impaired lives over the last 30 years.

The increasing involvement of Australian governments and people in social welfare and the increasing number of histories appearing in this field, makes it appropriate to recognize the alternate institutions—the mutual-aid bodies. By looking at these private institutions, which began to develop in the nineteenth century, we gain some perspective on the initiatives of government in the twentieth century in social policy in Australia. This paper does not extend to banks, building societies or to other co-operatives, but is restricted to those two institutions, friendly societies and the life insurance companies, which sought to provide for the exigencies of sickness, old-age and death.