Assured data - Illness level in MV still high
Despite the end of the Corona-Pandemic, the health status of employees in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern continues to remain at very high levels. According to an analysis of DAK insured data in the first half of 2024, mental health issues led to a significant increase in absences, causing the number of missed days to remain high and even surpass the previous year's figure. On average, every DAK insured employee in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern took 12 sick days from January to June. For the entire year 2023, the average was 11 days.
Health status above federal average
According to DAK, there were approximately 66 sick days per 1000 insured employees and workers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, which was slightly above the previous year's level. Nationwide, this figure was significantly lower at 5.7% in the first half of the year.
DAK further reported that depression, adjustment disorders, and other mental health issues caused over 202 sick days per 100 insured individuals in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in the first half of the year. In the previous year's first half, there were 186 sick days. "Another increase in absences due to mental health issues is concerning," explained DAK-Regional Manager Sabine Hansen. Hansen urged employers to reduce stress factors and pay closer attention to the psychological health of their workforce.
Back pain and respiratory problems most common causes
According to DAK data, 54.6% of the insured workers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern had at least one sick day due to musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain or respiratory problems like coughing, sneezing, and the flu. Both conditions accounted for 223 sick days per 100 insured individuals in the first half of the year, according to statistics.
The DAK is the third-largest health insurance company in MV, with 160,000 insured individuals, following Barmer (268,000) and Techniker Krankenkasse (205,000). The largest market share is held by the AOK, with approximately 400,000 insured individuals. For the current analysis, the Berlin IGES Institute evaluated the data of around 61,000 employed DAK insured individuals in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, according to DAK. The Barmer also found in their analysis of their insured data from 2023 that people in MV took sick more often than the federal average.
- Despite the diminishing impacts of the Coronavirus in 2024, employees in Schwerin, a city in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, continued to have a higher than average number of absent days due to health issues, with the DAK reporting around 66 sick days per 1000 insured individuals.
- The high number of absent days in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was partially attributed to mental health issues, such as depression and adjustment disorders, which led to an increase in sick days, surpassing the previous year's figure.
- As a result of these mental health issues, surveyed DAK insured individuals in Schwerin took an average of 202 sick days in the first half of 2024, compared to 186 in the same period of the previous year.
- To address this concerning trend, DAK-Regional Manager Sabine Hansen urged employers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to reduce stress factors and pay closer attention to the psychological health of their workforce, acknowledging the importance of health insurance coverage, especially in tackling mental health issues.
