Sitting Disease is a major issue for public transit drivers and anyone else in a job which requires extended periods of sitting. Unfortunately, many people, and most transit drivers, don’t know about this serious workplace health problem.
The phrase “sitting disease” refers to the surprisingly wide variety of ailments and medical issues which result from extended periods of sitting.
Here’s a short video overview of Sitting Disease and its potential health consequences. (Note: an advertisement for Audible.com starts at the 2:45 minute mark and goes to the end of the video clip)
Now here are some more detailed videos on Sitting Disease, presented by physicians. First, a video from the Mayo Clinic.
This video is presented by a physician from the University of Washington Health Center:
The bottom line here is that Sitting Disease is a major health issue for all transit drivers. At the very least, all transit drivers need to be taking short exercise breaks at each terminus. Don’t just sit in the seat at the end of the line like so many drivers do! Get out of the drivers seat at every terminus, get out of the bus and walk around for a few minutes.
Over the course of your driving career, this simple step can make a major difference for your health.
D. River, 1 November 2015