Prescriptions - DAK: Record-high patient status in Hessen
DAK-insured employees in Hessen have a higher sick leave rate than the national average. The sick leave rate in the federal state was 5.9 percent in the first half of 2024, 0.2 percentage points above the national average, according to a recent study by the health insurance fund. This means that on average, 59 out of 1,000 DAK-insured employees were sick-listed every day from January to June 2024.
This value was also higher than the previous half-year value (5.6 percent), which was already the highest value in seven years. The sick leave rate remains high according to DAK.
According to the latest analysis by the health insurance fund, every hessian DAK-insured employee took an average of 10.8 days off in the first six months of this year. More than half of the employees were sick-listed at least once in the period from January to June (53.7 percent).
Significant increase in mental health issues
According to its own statements, the DAK recorded a significant increase in mental health issues. "There was an increase of 20 percent in sick days due to depression or adjustment disorders compared to the previous year's period."
Depression, adjustment disorders, and other mental health issues caused the second most sick days in Hessen in the first half of the year with 191 days per 100 insured persons. In the previous half-year, it was still 160 days.
DAK-State Manager appeals to employers
"Another increase in sick leave due to mental health issues is alarming," said Britta Dalhoff, State Manager of DAK in Hessen. "Employees in Hessen continue to be under pressure in these war and crisis times." Employers were urged by her to pay particular attention to questions of mental health in their workforce and to focus on stress and potential burdens.
The city of Frankfurt am Main, being part of Hesse, contributes to the higher sick leave rate in the region. The record level of sick leave in Hessen, at 5.9%, surpassed the previous half-year's record of 5.6%. The DAK-insured individuals in Hesse took an average of 10.8 sick days, a significant increase from the previous half-year's average of 160 days. Mental health issues, such as depression and adjustment disorders, caused the second most sick days in Hesse, accounting for 191 days per 100 insured persons. Britta Dalhoff, the State Manager of DAK in Hesse, expressed concern over the continuous pressure on employees and urged employers to focus on mental health in the workplace.
