A car gets you where you’re going, gives you freedom to move about, almost everyone owns one, and if they don’t, they can always rent one.  America is a nation dependent on 4 wheels.

With the exception of cities like Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and San Francisco, public transportation in most American cities is inadequate. Automobiles are a necessity in many towns and cities.

Lack of sidewalks, urban sprawl, and unreliable mass transit, make it necessary to use a car.  Americans have become lazy, habitual car-drivers. It’s easy to hop into the car, and take it around-the-corner errand-hopping.

Car dependency is now under scrutiny.   An awaking is dawning about the downside to driving.   In many ways, it’s a health risk.

Physical inactivity, overweight and obesity, death and injury from crashes, cardio-respiratory disease from air pollution, noise, commuter stress, and social isolation are the negatives associated with driving a car.

Car dependency makes it harder to get the recommended 150 minutes weekly of exercise.  Obesity is a risk factor for heart disease, diabetes, and some forms of cancer.

For more about the subject of cars and public health, read  “Are Cars The New Tobacco?” from The Journal of Public Health, and  “Car-Driven Society Poses Health Risk To America’s Health,” from Reuters Health News.

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Copyright 2012 Irene Pastore and Blue Moon Personal Training