Study on the influence of commuting time on workers' health status and its mechanism

Abstract

Introduction

With the advancement of China's urbanization, the separation of employment and residence makes individual activity locations more dispersed, urban traffic becomes more congested, and residents' commuting efficiency is seriously affected.

Methods

This research, using data from the China Labor Dynamics Survey (CLDS) in 2018, aims to investigate the effects of commuting duration on workers' health and the underlying mechanisms. Workers' commuting time and health were measured in a regression model, controlling for personal, job, and lifestyle factors.

Results

The findings highlight a significant negative impact of longer commuting time on personal health. The analysis of mediation effects reveals that reduced physical activity due to extended commute durations contributes to poorer health outcomes. Moreover, the study identifies gender and working hours as factors that influence the relationship between commute duration and health standards.

Conclusions

Based on these findings, the following recommendations are proposed: 1) improving the alignment between housing and employment opportunities to achieve a balance between working and living arrangement; 2) Amplifying commuting efficiency by refining traffic plans and upgrading traffic conditions, and 3) Implementing flexi-time work policies to mitigate the potential impact of commuting duration on employees' health.