The public transportation system is the heart of New York City, and keeping it running is crucial during emergencies. New York City was one of the hardest-hit metropolitan areas in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, creating significant challenges for the transit system and its workers.
In 2020, researchers at the NYU School of Global Public Health were awarded a five-year, roughly $4 million grant from the National Institute of Health (NIH) to study the pandemic’s impact on NYC transit workers, and develop methods to better protect transit worker’s health. Many essential workers were excessively affected due to occupational health disparities, with transit workers suffering disproportionately from both exposure infection rates and adverse health outcomes associated with COVID-19.
Along with the development of risk reduction strategies, the study will develop a best practices disaster plan targeted at NYC transit workers, which will be adaptable to other essential workforces.