Persistent Cold Weather Boosts Disease Prevalence in Lower Saxony
A new analysis by the IGES Institute, commissioned by DAK Health, reveals a significant increase in respiratory illnesses among DAK-insured employees in Lower Saxony, Germany. The analysis, presented in the press release titled "Cold Wave Keeps Absenteeism High in Lower Saxony", shows that more than half (52.9%) of workers were sick at least once between January and June, with an average of 57 out of 1,000 employees being sick each day.
The analysis found that respiratory illnesses accounted for the largest share of absenteeism at 21%, followed by psychological illnesses (17%) and musculoskeletal disorders (18%). Despite this increase, the overall absenteeism rate in the first half of the year was slightly lower than the previous year's level of 5.8%, at 5.7%.
The cold wave in January and February was particularly noticeable for the increase in respiratory illnesses. The analysis highlights a 16% increase in sick days due to flu and colds compared to the same period last year. However, there were decreases in psychological illnesses (minus 7%) and musculoskeletal disorders (minus 3%), contributing to the lower overall absenteeism rate.
Germany faces a significant burden of respiratory infections, with bacterial agents like Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae being major contributors to antimicrobial-resistant infections, affecting respiratory tracts, leading to serious diseases and fatalities. This highlights challenges in treating respiratory infections effectively, which can lead to prolonged illness and absenteeism.
The Hannover Medical School (MHH) and the RESIST Cluster of Excellence in Lower Saxony are at the forefront of research focusing on preventing, diagnosing, and treating infections caused by bacteria and viruses, including those affecting the respiratory system. The work especially targets vulnerable groups prone to severe disease, such as the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.
High-level visits by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Lower Saxony officials to MHH and related research centers underline the seriousness with which governmental bodies regard this public health issue, aiming to integrate advanced research into policy and clinical strategies to reduce infection rates and their consequences such as absenteeism.
The increase in respiratory illnesses causing absenteeism has several implications. Elevated respiratory infection rates strain healthcare resources. High absenteeism disrupts workforce productivity and could affect regional economic stability. There is an urgent need for enhanced infection control, vaccination programs, antimicrobial stewardship, and improved diagnostics to manage and reduce illness prevalence.
Continued support for clusters like RESIST is critical for advancing innovative therapies and preventive measures. Information on occupational health management and special offers from DAK-Gesundheit for companies and their employees can be found at www.dak.de/bgm.
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2019. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/threat-report-2019/
- Hannover Medical School. (n.d.). RESIST Cluster of Excellence. Retrieved from https://www.resist.de/en/
- Robert Koch Institute. (2022). Influenza Surveillance in Germany. Retrieved from https://www.rki.de/EN/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Meldungen_News/Flu_Surveillance_in_Germany
- Lower Saxony State Government. (n.d.). Health. Retrieved from https://www.niedersachsen.de/gesundheit
- World Health Organization. (2022). Antimicrobial Resistance. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance
- Alongside respiratory illnesses, psychological reasons and musculoskeletal disorders also contributed to the absenteeism among DAK-insured employees in Lower Saxony, with the former accounting for 17% and the latter 18%.
- In the quest to combat the rise in respiratory infections, the Hannover Medical School and the RESIST Cluster of Excellence are carrying out research focused on preventing, diagnosing, and treating infections affecting the respiratory system, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable groups.
- The significant burden of respiratory infections in Germany is primarily driven by bacterial agents like Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae, which contributes to antimicrobial-resistant infections and leads to serious diseases and fatalities.
- To manage and reduce the prevalence of respiratory illnesses, it is crucial to implement enhanced infection control, vaccination programs, antimicrobial stewardship, and improved diagnostics, while also promoting health and wellness through fitness and exercise, mental health support, and proper nutrition, potentially incorporating CBD in the latter.
