Work

Taxi drivers and modifiable health behaviors: Is stress associated?

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Taxi drivers, an immigrant male population, may exhibit poor health behaviors and increased health risks. OBJECTIVE: The current study examined stress and demographics as predictors of physical activity (PA), nutrition, sleep, and smoking, and the co-occurrence of these behaviors among taxi drivers. METHODS: A cross-sectional needs assessment was conducted in New York City. The sample (n = 252) was comprised of male taxi drivers, 98%of whom were born outside of the U.S., with the majority from South Asian countries (62%), and 45 years old on average (SD = 11). RESULTS: We found low rates of fruit/vegetable consumption and PA. Rates of stress, PA, and smoking varied by demographic factors. Stress was positively associated with sleep disturbances and negatively associated with smoking. Aside from a relationship between sugar consumption and smoking, other health behaviors were not associated. CONCLUSIONS: While stress appears to impact some indicators of modifiable health behaviors, its lack of relationship with others points to more persistent health issues. Demographic differences found for PA and smoking also point to groups that may especially benefit from interventions. These findings suggest the need for targeted health interventions for taxi drivers in large metropolitan cities.

Source: Work

DOI: 10.3233/wor-213549

Authors: Sheena Mirpuri, Kristen Riley, Francesca Gany

Institutions: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Weill Cornell Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Workplace Health and Well-being

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities