NYC Taxi Drivers Economic, Stress, and Health Needs Assessment

Purpose: Approximately 25,000 taxi drivers work in New York City and little data is available about their job-related stress, its sources and associated factors. Through the New York University's Assessing Community Health Needs course, a group of students collaborated with the New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA) for a class assignment to examine the level of stress taxi drivers experience, and attempt to explain its relationship with economic factors, such as health insurance, financial barriers and expenses, work hours, and health care utilization.

Methodology: The design utilized a community-based participatory approach. A mixed-methods cross-sectional needs assessment was conducted including surveys; key informant and in-depth interviews; and observation.

Results: Approximately 60% of the drivers reported an income below $35,000 and 65% of the drivers reported that their income supports three or more people. Forty-four percent of respondents reported that they did not have any health insurance and 32.4% were not able to go to the doctor when needed. Qualitative and quantitative data revealed that the sources of stress included limited income, lack of work benefits, work related violence and abuse, long work hours, and health problems. Some drivers were only able to control irritation sometimes, felt nervous or stressed sometimes, and felt depressed sometimes.

Conclusions: NYC taxi drivers are faced with several economic barriers and work-related stressors that adversely affect their health. There is a need for a mobilized effort to address the economic and health needs of this understudied and under-served community.