UM And UKM Experts Claim Long Commutes Could Lead To An Early Death
The experts state that long commutes can pose both physical and mental health risks to individuals.
By Melissa Alvina - 14 Feb 2024, 03:43 AM
Cover image via A public health medical expert from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) has cautioned that prolonged daily driving carries significant health risks, potentially leading to premature death
According to Professor Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, the health risks arise from exposure to outdoor air pollutants, reported the New Straits Times.
She further elaborated that outdoor air pollution, identified as a significant environmental hazard by the World Health Organisation, resulted in 3.7 million premature deaths in 2021. This was primarily attributed to pollutants emitted from idle vehicles and engine revving.
Dr Sharifa emphasised that chronic lung diseases, elevated blood pressure, stroke, and asthma are among the enduring health effects linked to traffic-induced air pollution.
She also highlighted that long-term exposure to traffic-related factors can exacerbate heart-related diseases, increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, and affect respiratory health.
Additionally, Dr Sharifa noted that prolonged sitting in vehicles can lead to repetitive stress, impaired back and neck, knee and hip pain, and an increased risk of leg edema due to reduced blood circulation and deep vein thrombosis.
Meanwhile, Dr Rama Krishna Supramanian, a specialist in occupational and public health medicine at Universiti Malaya (UM), said there are no clear guidelines regarding the distance or duration of travel that may pose health risks
However, he pointed out that a Swedish study revealed that individuals who commute for more than five hours per week are at a heightened risk of physical inactivity and sleep problems, reported the New Straits Times.
Dr Rama added that commuting for extended periods can also lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
"The stress and frustration associated with commuting, especially in heavy traffic or crowded public transport, can take a toll on one's mental wellbeing," he said.
"Long commutes eat into valuable leisure time, leaving individuals with less time for activities that promote relaxation, socialisation and overall wellbeing. This can negatively impact work-life balance," he added.
He noted that long commutes also reduce the available time for exercise, thereby increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases like obesity.
Additionally, Dr Rama highlighted that prolonged commuting induces fatigue, which would reduce one's cognitive function and work productivity.
