Northbrook, Ill.--Allstate Life Insurance Co., a subsidiary of The Allstate Corp., is participating in the PREPARE (PREVU* Predicts Atherosclerosis Risk and Events) clinical trial, a study with Toronto-based IMI International Medical Innovations Inc. and McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Guelph, Ont. The study evaluates a new medical technology for assessing the risk of coronary artery disease.Currently, Allstate Life customers who apply for a life insurance policy must undergo a blood test as one of a number of factors to assess their coronary artery disease risk. The new study incorporates a skin test that uses an adhesive collection strip that is applied to a study participant's hand. Upon removal of the strip, dead skin cells are collected and then sealed in a collection device and processed using IMI's patented PREVU* LT Skin Sterol Test system.
PREVU* non-invasively measures the amount of sterol, or skin tissue cholesterol, without the drawing of blood or a special pre-test diet, and takes minutes to perform. Skin sterol evaluates the level of cholesterol that has accumulated in the tissues of the body as opposed to the blood.
"Allstate is always looking at new technology to make our underwriting process simpler for our customers," says Matt Easley, vice president of life products, Allstate Life. "Once the study is completed, we will closely review the results to determine if the skin test may be an acceptable alternative to blood testing for some insurance applicants."
As part of this clinical trial, customers will have the opportunity to voluntarily participate in this new scientific study. During this trial, the results of the skin test will have no impact on their life insurance application.
Source: Allstate Life Insurance Co.
