Sick Days on the Rise in Lower Saxony - Respiratory Problems Climb
Rise in respiratory problems causes higher absences in Lower Saxony - Rising respiratory issues in Lower Saxony: Hospital admissions on the rise
Hey there! Let's talk about the recent trend in sick leave in the German state of Lower Saxony.
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The health insurance company DAK-Gesundheit reported a slight increase in sick days taken in Lower Saxony during the first three months of 2025. The state's sickness absence rate rose by 0.1 percentage points to 6.2 percent, compared to the same period the previous year. In broader terms, the national sickness absence rate also saw a 0.1 percentage point increase, standing at 6.0 percent.
Lower Saxony finds itself in the middle of the pack among federal states, according to Dirk Vennekold, the head of the health insurance company in Lower Saxony.
Respiratory complaints are on the rise
According to an analysis of nearly 203,000 employed policyholders in the state, a sickness absence rate of 6.2 percent in Lower Saxony translates to an average of 62 out of 1,000 employees being absent due to illness each day from January to March. What's causing this uptick?
Respiratory problems accounted for nearly a third more sick days compared to the same period in the previous year. Specifically, bronchitis, colds, and other respiratory infections resulted in 153.7 sick days per 100 employees in the first quarter - a 29.6 percent increase compared to the first twelve weeks of 2024.
Sick leave remains at a noticeable level
Vennekold commented that the sick leave in Lower Saxony remains at a high level, particularly given the ongoing economic weakness in Germany. Around 40 percent of men and approximately 44 percent of women were absent from work at least once in the first quarter. After respiratory problems, musculoskeletal disorders like back pain were the second most common cause, followed by mental illnesses such as depression.
- Lower Saxony
- Sickness absence rate
- Respiratory problem
- Sick leave
- Hanover
- Cold
- DAK-Gesundheit
While specific causes for the increase in respiratory sick leave in Lower Saxony are not definitively known, data from the ECDC suggests that the 2024/2025 respiratory virus season was characterized by an intense influenza season and a protracted RSV epidemic. However, by week 19 of 2025, primary care consultation rates and SARI indicators had mostly returned to baseline or low levels across reporting EU/EEA countries, including Germany. No localized outbreaks of respiratory infections specific to Lower Saxony were reported during this period. (Enrichment data provided for context)
- The increasing trend of respiratory complaints in Lower Saxony might be linked to the intense influenza season and prolonged RSV epidemic during the 2024/2025 respiratory virus season, according to ECDC data.
- In addition to respiratory problems, mental health issues like depression and musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain have been significant contributors to sick leave in Lower Saxony.
- Apart from respiratory infections, the health and wellness of individuals in Lower Saxony might benefit from focusing on chronic diseases, medical-conditions, and maintaining a balanced diet for nutrition.
- To tackle these issues and promote health, it could be beneficial for the Lower Saxony community to consider implementing initiatives such as vocational training, science, mental-health programs, fitness-and-exercise programs, and programs for managing chronic diseases like diabetes and heart conditions.
