Health Advantages To Taking Public Transit

KYW Medical Report Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Do you take public transportation every day or use it quite often? You may be better off than your fellow commuters who drive - at least that is what public health experts have to say.

Here are the facts: most of the world walks a great deal more than those of us in the United States, especially those of us living in big cities. There is no doubt that walking is extremely helpful from both a physical standpoint and as a stress reducer.

People who take public transit walk quite a bit more than others and a growing number of people are doing this. The number of transit walkers increased from 7.5 million to 9.6 million since 2001.

Studies also tell us the number of people walking thirty minutes or more went from 2.6 million to 3.4 million.

Don't feel bad if you commute by car. Remember the key is working exercise in to day-to-day activities. There are lots of ways to do this.