Increased sickness prevalence linked to rise in chill wave trends during first half of the year - Intense cold spike leads to surge in illnesses during first half of the year
In the first half of 2025, Bavaria witnessed a particularly high sickness absence rate, with an average of 48 out of 1,000 employees missing work due to illness each day. The data, provided by health insurance company DAK to the German Press Agency, reveals that respiratory diseases accounted for the largest proportion of sickness absence, at 22 percent, while musculoskeletal disorders followed closely behind, accounting for 17 percent.
The main cause of the increased sickness absence rate was attributed to a strong cold wave in January and February. The number of missed workdays due to respiratory diseases increased from 173 per 100 insured persons in the first half of 2024 to around 190 days in the first two quarters of the current year. The sickness absence rate due to colds and the flu increased by 10% compared to the same period last year.
However, it's important to note that the overall sickness absence rate from January to June was 4.8%, slightly lower than the 5.0% from the previous year. The health insurance company also reported a decrease in the number of missed workdays for mental illnesses by seven percent compared to the previous year. The average duration of each illness decreased from 9.7 to 9.3 days.
Several factors could be contributing to the high sickness absence rate due to respiratory infections. One of these factors is the disruption of seasonal patterns caused by the pandemic, which might continue to affect the timing and severity of respiratory infections. Another factor is the low COVID-19 vaccination rates in children under 18 years, which could contribute to increased susceptibility to respiratory infections among younger populations.
The introduction of strict measures like curfews during the pandemic might have initially reduced infection rates but could have also led to residual impacts on community immunity and behavior. The absence of strong, enduring public health strategies might contribute to higher sickness absence rates.
Demographic factors, such as population density and age distribution, can influence the spread of respiratory infections. Environmental factors, like air quality and climate conditions, can also affect respiratory health and might play a role in the increased sickness absence.
The capacity of the healthcare system to manage and prevent respiratory infections can impact sickness absence rates. If healthcare resources are strained, it might lead to increased absences due to prolonged recovery times or delayed treatment.
Despite these challenges, the sickness absence rate in kindergartens was around 11 days on average, lower than the care sector where the rate averaged 12.7 days. The employees in the financial services and tax consulting sectors reported sick about half as often, with an average of just under six days.
DAK regional manager Rainer Blasutto stated that the sickness absence rate remains at a worrying high level, especially in the care sector and other heavily stressed areas. The overall average sickness absence rate for all occupational groups was just under nine days. As the infection wave subsides from the second quarter, it is hoped that the sickness absence rate will follow suit, returning to more manageable levels.
- To address the elevated sickness absence rate in Bavaria, a review of community policy can be implemented, focusing on workplace-wellness programs that incorporate health-and-wellness activities, such as fitness-and-exercise and mental-health initiatives, as part of vocational training for employees.
- Given the significance of respiratory diseases and their impact on sickness absence, scientific research could be directed towards understanding the underlying factors and implementing preventive measures, particularly in relation to the disruption of seasonal patterns due to the pandemic and low vaccination rates in children under 18 years.
- As environmental factors, like air quality and climate conditions, may contribute to respiratory health issues, it would be beneficial to implement policies focused on improving overall environmental quality as part of comprehensive vocational training programs for employees. This would aim to reduce the impact of sickness absence due to respiratory infections in the future.
