de.euronews.com
EU Work-Related Depression Costs Exceed €100 Billion Annually
A new study reveals that work-related depression costs the EU over €100 billion yearly, with 8% of cardiovascular diseases and 23% of depression cases linked to psychosocial work risks like stress, long hours, and job insecurity, leading to thousands of preventable deaths and lost productivity in 2015.
- What are the immediate and significant economic and health consequences of work-related depression in the European Union?
- A recent study by the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) reveals that work-related depression costs the European Union over €100 billion annually. The study identifies five psychosocial risks: workplace stress, long working hours, job insecurity, imbalance between effort and reward, and psychological violence. These risks resulted in approximately 6,000 deaths from coronary heart disease and over 5,000 deaths from depression-related suicides in 2015 alone.",
- What are the primary psychosocial risk factors identified in the ETUI study, and how do these contribute to the high costs associated with work-related depression and cardiovascular disease?
- The ETUI study highlights that 8 percent of cardiovascular diseases and 23 percent of depression cases are attributed to these psychosocial work risks. The economic burden is shared between employers and employees, with over 80 percent of depression costs stemming from workplace psychosocial risks. These costs are incurred through reduced productivity due to illness or absenteeism, as well as decreased performance from employees present but struggling with mental health issues.",
- What preventative measures does the ETUI recommend to address the high costs and health impacts of work-related depression, and what challenges might be encountered in implementing these measures?
- The ETUI calls on the European Commission to strengthen prevention measures, suggesting a mental health directive to guide employers. However, the researchers acknowledge that prevention efforts must be tailored to specific workplaces and workforces, emphasizing the importance of employee involvement. Future studies, pending updated Eurofound data, will be crucial to monitor the evolution of these work-related health risks and the effectiveness of preventative measures.",
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the significant economic burden of work-related depression and associated health issues, using strong numerical data (e.g., €100 billion annual cost) to highlight the severity of the problem. This framing is likely to resonate with policymakers and stakeholders concerned with financial implications. The introductory sentence immediately establishes the high cost, setting the stage for the rest of the report. While impactful, this strong emphasis on economic consequences might overshadow the human suffering aspect.
Bias by Omission
The analysis focuses primarily on the economic costs and impact of work-related depression in the EU, citing specific figures and sources. However, it omits discussion of potential preventative measures implemented by individual companies or countries, beyond the general call for EU-level intervention. While acknowledging the 2020 pandemic disruption to data collection, the lack of comparative data beyond 2015 limits a comprehensive understanding of trends and evolving challenges. The omission of specific examples of successful prevention programs or policies at the national level prevents a complete picture of current best practices.
Sustainable Development Goals
The study highlights that workplace psychosocial risks, including stress, long working hours, and job insecurity, lead to high costs associated with work-related depression and cardiovascular diseases in the EU. This directly impacts the SDG target of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. The significant number of deaths and lost life-years due to these preventable conditions underscores the negative impact on this SDG.