A recent study by the Barmer Krankenkasse has found that men in Germany are more frequently absent from work due to illness than women, due to their risk-taking lifestyles. The study revealed that injuries are twice as common in men as in women, while women are more likely to miss work due to physical illnesses. Additionally, women between the ages of 30 and 49 are more likely to develop tumors than men. While the number of injuries has decreased for both genders in recent years, there has been an increase in absences due to depression and other mental health issues, which has been partially attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Stefan Beier from the Landesfachstelle Männerarbeit Sachsen, the difference in life expectancy between men and women can be partially explained by biological factors, but the majority of the difference is due to lifestyle choices. Men tend to live unhealthier lifestyles than women, and they also approach illnesses differently, often viewing them as a nuisance and delaying seeking help. This can lead to physical illnesses, such as depression, going undiagnosed and untreated for too long. Beier believes that research and diagnosis methods need to change to address this issue.
The study analyzed data from approximately 3.8 million employed individuals between the ages of 15 and 64 who were insured by Barmer. While the data aligns with previous studies on the topic, it highlights the need for further research and interventions to address the gender gap in health outcomes.
