Hardly a surprise that commuting leads to a decline in physical and social health, but the important point is that commutes are the result of how we design cities, site industry, and create new housing. Major political will is needed to make changes, and that requires a better understanding of community on the part of policy makers and citizens, too.

The Gallup polling organization reports that the “well being” of metropolitan Americans is apparently “lower among workers with long commutes.” The study, released this month, finds that “lengthy commuters are more likely to experience a range of physical and emotional conditions,” including “severe health problems,” such as neck or back pain (especially for those commuting more than 20 minutes) and higher cholesterol and larger “body mass index(es),” due, no doubt, to over-consumption of fattening fast foods.

via t r u t h o u t | Suburban Sprawl and the Decline of Social Capital. Thanks the Sprawled Out blog for this link.