Studies & sources
Why workplace health promotion works — and what we base that on
The benefit of physical activity and workplace health promotion is well documented — and it is exactly what we see with our customers every day. Here are the studies and sources BGF-Kompass refers to.
Movement works
Regular everyday activity — brisk walking, cycling — demonstrably lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers, helps with weight control and improves mental wellbeing.
Germany moves too little
According to the WHO, 44 % of women and 40 % of men over 18 in Germany would need to be more active. Among adolescents it is even more pronounced: 88 % of girls and 80 % of boys move too little.
- WHO — Global status report on physical activity 2022 ↗Germany scores below average.
- BZfE — „Die Deutschen bewegen sich zu wenig“ (2022) ↗The German Federal Centre for Nutrition puts the WHO report in context.
- WHO — Global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030 ↗Global action plan to promote physical activity.
- TK-Bewegungsstudie 2022 — „Beweg dich, Deutschland" ↗Representative study by the Techniker Krankenkasse.
Health management pays off
Structured workplace health promotion demonstrably reduces absence. The median ROI is 1:2.7 — for every euro invested, the median benefit is €2.70 (IGA Report 40, meta-analysis of 140 studies with 500,000 participants). A US meta-analysis records 1:5.56 and −25.1 % absence (Chapman 2012).
- iga.Report 40 — Wirksamkeit und Nutzen arbeitsweltbezogener Gesundheitsförderung ↗Median ROI: 1:2.7 (range −3.3 to +15.6). 85 % of studies show a positive ROI. EU median: 1.7. Basis: 140 studies, approx. 500,000 participants.
- Chapman (2012) — Meta-Evaluation of Worksite Health Promotion ↗−25.1 % sickness absence days, ROI 1:5.56. Comprehensive US programme. Chapman Institute, 2012 update.
Sickness rate & costs 2024
The sickness rate in Germany was 5.23 % in 2024 — equivalent to 19.1 days of absence per working person (TK absence report 2024). Three out of four organisations have no holistic health management.
- TK Gesundheitsreport 2025 (AU-Bericht) ↗Sickness rate 2024: 5.23 % (−0.08 pp vs. 2023). 19.1 absence days per person. Mental disorders: +159 % since 2006 (age-adjusted).
- #whatsnext 2025 — BGM-Studie · TK / IFBG / Personalmagazin ↗Only 25 % of organisations have holistic health management — no increase since 2022. 75 % without complete health management.
- Roland Berger — Corporate Health Management 2020 ↗Employee-friendly culture: 20 % fewer absence days. Effective health management: −40 % turnover, +11 % revenue per employee, +76 % share value. German market: €958 million.
- BAuA GD 60 — Präsentismus: Kosten und Folgen (Meta-Review) ↗Presenteeism costs exceed absenteeism costs economy-wide. Meta-review of 285 studies.
Legal framework
Workplace health promotion is anchored in German law (§ 20 SGB V). Statutory health insurers provide an annual prevention allowance per insured person (2025: €8.77).
- § 20 SGB V Abs. 6 — Präventionspauschale ↗Benchmark and minimum amounts for prevention and health promotion (€8.77 per insured person, 2025).
- GKV-Spitzenverband — Präventionsbericht ↗Annual report on prevention and health promotion services.
- GKV-Leitfaden Prävention ↗Action fields and criteria under § 20 SGB V.
Please note: savings potentials shown by BGF-Kompass are scenarios based on these study values — not guarantees. Actual effects depend on sector, execution and starting point.