High sickness rate in Saxony - many respiratory infections

The sickness rate among employees in Saxony reached a new record in the first half of 2024. According to DAK-Gesundheit, it was 6 percent after 5.9 percent in the first six months of the previous year - and above the national average of 5.7 percent. According to the latest analysis, employees insured with the health insurance company had an average of 10.9 days of absence, with just over half of them taking at least one sick day. Data from around 50,000 employed DAK policyholders in Bavaria was evaluated for this.

Most common cause mental illness

Depression, adjustment disorders and other mental illnesses caused around 178 days of absence per 100 insured persons, compared to 149 days in the same period last year. "A further sharp increase in absenteeism due to mental illness is worrying," said DAK state head Stefan Wandel. "Employees in Saxony are still under pressure in these times of war and crisis." Employers should focus on stress and possible strains and pay more attention to the mental health of their workforce.

According to the DAK analysis, an average of 60 out of 1,000 employees were on sick leave every day from January to June. At 213 days per 100 insured persons, respiratory problems such as coughs, colds and flu-like infections caused the most absences. Musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain were responsible for around 197 days of absence and injuries for 109.

High number of absences due to "summer flu" in June

In June, Barmer recorded an unusually high number of sick days due to respiratory infections - from colds to bronchitis. However, according to the health insurance company's analysis, Saxony was the least affected by the "summer flu" in a nationwide comparison, with 148 to 114 cases per 10,000 insured persons. There has been a slight downward trend since the penultimate week of June. While more serious and banal infections were responsible for 86 to 90 percent of all absences, corona infections played a subordinate role with four to seven percent - but with an upward trend - and the proportion of influenza was also low.