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Long hours at a sedentary job may impose limited opportunities for physical activity.
A TAXI DRIVER 2017 COVER DRIVERS
Previous research indicates that San Diego taxi drivers work a median of 71 h per week and take home a median income of less than $5 per hour after subtracting work-related expenses (e.g.
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Lease vehicle drivers frequently work long hours and face stressors related to financial insecurity ( Safe Cab San Diego, 2014), which have implications for public safety and the health of the driver. Furthermore, there is no regulation for working hours for taxi drivers who lease their vehicles.
A TAXI DRIVER 2017 COVER CODE
Specifically, taxi drivers who lease cars are often excluded from accessing health care through the Workers’ Compensation System ( California Labor Code § 3350-3371, 1937). In the US, most drivers lease their vehicles, and are therefore considered independent contractors with limited protection provided by federal and state agencies. Effective programs in sedentary but non office-based work settings are needed. Taxi drivers have unique occupational physical demands. Previously identified workplace interventions such as treadmill desks and height adjustable desks are proven to reduce sedentary behaviors ( Neuhaus et al., 2014), but are not applicable to taxi drivers. Workplace interventions may be important since a large proportion of sedentary behavior occurs during work hours. Sedentary behavior is therefore an important target in health interventions ( Chau et al., 2010), although optimal interventions are undetermined. The harmful effects of sedentary behavior, above and beyond a lack of physical activity, are documented ( Bauman et al., 2013). Long hours of work at a sedentary job are likely contributing factors for these conditions. International epidemiological studies of taxi drivers in Taiwan and Japan have identified elevated prevalence of knee pain ( Chen et al., 2004), low back pain ( Chen et al., 2005), hypertension ( Ueda et al., 1992), gastrointestinal disorders, fatigue and musculoskeletal system disorders ( Ueda et al., 1989) as compared to the general population. A convenience sample of 751 taxi drivers in Chicago identified numerous health risk factors, including low prevalence of health insurance, limited physical activity and low levels of fruit and vegetable consumption ( Apantaku-Onayemi et al., 2012). Research has found that drivers are at high risk for a range of health concerns and poor health behaviors. Given the size and anticipated growth of the sector, driver health and health care disparities have substantial public health implications as the health and safety of taxi drivers is directly linked to the health and safety of passengers, pedestrians and others on the road. This number is projected to increase by 16% between 20 ( Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014). Taxi drivers are a large group of workers in this sector, with 233 000 drivers in the US in 2014 ( Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014). Globally, the travel and tourism industry is estimated to generate $6 trillion dollars and 120 million jobs ( Blanke and Chiesa, 2013). The research provides data to inform targeted health interventions that support the health and safety of taxi drivers. The majority of drivers reported financial and job dissatisfaction. Drivers were more likely to report musculoskeletal pain, less sleep, more fatigue and less physical activity as compared to non-drivers. Quantitative data indicate that 44% of drivers reported their health as ‘fair’ or ‘poor’. Participants offered ideas for health interventions that include workplace reform and driver education. The focus groups described numerous health concerns that drivers attributed to their occupation, including chronic pain, sleep deprivation, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease and eye problems, as the most common. Health education was provided alongside the research to address common health concerns and to ensure mutual benefit and an action orientation. Second, a convenience sample of 75 current taxi drivers (M age = 45.7 years) and 25 non-driver comparison participants (M age = 40.3 years) were recruited to complete a structured self-reported questionnaire and objective measures of health. A mixed methods approach included first a convenience sample of 19 East African taxi drivers participating in focus group discussions. The goal of this study was to explore occupational health risks and opportunities for health interventions with taxi drivers using community-based participatory research (CBPR) methods. Research has shown that taxi drivers are at risk for numerous health concerns, such as low back and leg pain, linked to their highly sedentary occupation, long work hours and stressors related to the job (e.g.