Shortly after World War II, health researchers began to investigate the high rates of coronary heart disease in the United Kingdom. Jerry Morris, a scientist in London, noted a striking difference in rates of myocardial infarction between drivers and conductors of double-decker buses. The conductors ascended and descended several hundred steps per day, and were about one half as likely as sedentary drivers to have sudden death from heart disease. These findings are an important example of the effect of behavior on health: regular physical activity reduces the risk of chronic disease and premature death.
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