St. Wendel County tops the Saarland's count in musculoskeletal disorder days.
St. Wendel District Records Surge in Musculoskeletal Disorders, Outpacing Saarland and National Averages
ST. WENDEL, SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 — The St. Wendel district has emerged as a standout region with an exceptionally high sickness rate, according to a recent BARMER study, surpassing both the Saarland state average and the national average. Intriguingly, the primary cause of sickness absenteeism? Musculoskeletal disorders, specifically back pain.
Jörg Peter, BARMER's regional manager in St. Wendel, reveals that 7.2% of employees in the district missed work due to illness, a percentage higher than the 7.1% average in Saarland and the 6.2% nationwide. This translates to an average of 72 absent employees per 1,000 in the district.
A startling statistic is the number of workdays lost to musculoskeletal disorders - 5.5 days per employee in the district, ranking St. Wendel 18th among 403 German districts and independent cities. Alongside musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory diseases, mental health issues, and injuries were prominent reasons for work absence.
Peter attributes the high incidence of respiratory diseases to the normalization of human contact following the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he underscores the district's primary concern regarding musculoskeletal disorders. In light of demographic changes and skills shortages, he emphasizes the importance of cultivating mental health in the workplace.
For instance, a lack of team cohesion can lead to an increase in depressive symptoms. Against this backdrop, Peter highlights the need for proactive health management for businesses in St. Wendel, emphasizing the importance of maintaining, not only physical but also mental health, among employees.
Peter's findings underscore the importance of employers in St. Wendel actively addressing preventive measures and promoting the health of their employees. With hope, these changes could lead to improved health statistics in the coming years.
Possible contributors to the high sickness rate due to musculoskeletal disorders may include occupational risks, an aging workforce, lifestyle factors, limited access to preventive care, and workplace reporting practices. Nevertheless, specific research on the St. Wendel district remains an area for further exploration.
- In an effort to combat the high sickness rate and musculoskeletal disorders within the St. Wendel district, the focus should be shifted towards integrating science-backed workplace wellness programs, including health-and-wellness initiatives, fitness-and-exercise regimens, and mental-health support.
- Employers in St. Wendel are encouraged to prioritize the mental health of their employees, understanding that factors such as a lack of team cohesion can exacerbate symptoms of stress and depression, leading to increased sickness absenteeism.
- To further comprehend the reasons for the unusually high rate of musculoskeletal disorders in the St. Wendel district, research should be conducted to explore potential factors such as occupational risks, an aging workforce, lifestyle factors, and limited access to preventive care, in addition to an examination of workplace reporting practices.
