Should insurance companies be allowed to charge higher premiums to people with unhealthy lifestyles?

The question of whether insurance companies should be allowed to charge higher premiums to people with unhealthy lifestyles raises important issues about fairness, personal responsibility, and access to healthcare. In health and life insurance, a premium is the regular payment made to maintain coverage. Insurers typically calculate these costs based on risk assessment—the likelihood that a policyholder will need expensive care or payouts. People who smoke, drink heavily, eat poorly, or avoid exercise statistically face higher health risks, leading some to argue that their premiums should reflect this increased burden. This debate is closely tied to the idea of risk-based pricing versus community rating. Risk-based pricing adjusts costs to individual behaviors, while community rating spreads costs across all participants regardless of lifestyle. Supporters of higher premiums for unhealthy choices claim it promotes accountability and encourages healthier habits. Opponents argue it unfairly penalizes people for complex factors like genetics, socioeconomic conditions, or limited access to healthy options. Historically, insurers have already differentiated premiums based on factors like age, smoking status, or pre-existing conditions. However, extending this to broader lifestyle choices touches on ethics, privacy, and equality. Should health coverage function like any other risk-based product, or is it a collective social good where access should not depend on personal habits?