Increased instances of common colds, yet a decrease in reported mental health issues - Increased instances of common colds reported, decline in cases of mental illnesses noted
In a recent analysis, the IGES Institute evaluated the sick leave rates among DAK insured individuals in Hesse, focusing on various professional groups. The analysis revealed some interesting findings, but left several questions unanswered.
The analysis found that the overall sick leave rate among DAK insured individuals in Hesse decreased slightly from 5.9% to 5.7% compared to the previous year. However, it did not mention any reduction in the overall sick leave rate among DAK insured individuals in the care and education professions, where the sick leave rate remains alarmingly high, averaging at twelve sick days per person.
One of the most intriguing findings was the increase in sick days due to flu and colds by 13% in the first half of 2025. The analysis did not explicitly explain the reasons behind this increase, but it could be related to seasonal viral outbreaks, changes in virus variants, lower immunity in the population, or environmental factors such as weather.
Another significant finding was the decrease in cases of mental illnesses and sick days due to back pain. The number of registered mental illnesses such as depression has been decreasing significantly, with a reduction of 8%, and sick leave due to back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders has decreased by 9%. The reasons for these decreases are not entirely clear, but they may reflect improved workplace ergonomics, better mental health support, less stressful work conditions, or shifts in healthcare reporting and diagnosis practices.
The infection wave subsided significantly in the second quarter of 2025, which could potentially explain the decrease in mental health issues. However, the analysis did not provide information about the current status or trend of mental illnesses or musculoskeletal disorders in the analyzed professional groups.
Britta Dalhoff, head of DAK-Gesundheit in Hessen, emphasized the need for more prevention and effective health offers for employees, particularly in the care and nursing professions and educational professions, where sick leave rates remain high. She highlighted the importance of understanding the underlying causes of these high sick leave rates to develop targeted interventions.
Interestingly, employees in the IT industry in Hesse reported sick least often, with an average of six sick days per person. This discrepancy between industries warrants further investigation to understand the factors contributing to the differences in sick leave rates.
The analysis was conducted in Hesse, specifically Frankfurt am Main, based on data from around 245,000 employed DAK insured individuals in the region. Despite the valuable insights provided by the analysis, it is crucial to note that without direct data or reports from DAK or relevant public health authorities from Hesse in 2025, a definitive answer grounded in documented evidence is not yet possible. For specific causes, consulting official health reports or DAK’s own statistics would be necessary.
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