Doing More to Improve Driver Health

The truckers’ blues is an old tune of broken hearts, lousy food and missed loved ones. It’s also a story of great sacrifices — from health problems to family discontent — for big rig drivers who want to move to their own rhythm.

With parking lots for boardinghouses as many as 26 nights a month and pressure to get loads to their destinations, it’s little wonder that truckers get limited rest and exercise, and don’t eat well. Experts have found these and other conditions are challenges facing the industry in retaining drivers of sound mind and body.

“Truckers were about twice as bad as the general population” in a number of statistical health categories, said Sue Roberts, a health care and wellness consultant in Des Moines, Iowa. In her research, she has found that:

• 50% of truckers smoke.
• 73% are obese.
• 33% suffer from hypertension.
• 50% never get aerobic exercise.
• Stress levels were significantly higher among drivers than the national average.

Her findings were developed through health screenings and searching through literature on trucker health studies. The work was funded by a grant from the Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Motor Carrier and Highway Safety (See article, page 14).

Roberts doesn’t offer an entirely grim assessment.

A lot of drivers are healthy, but they have to “make an extra effort to stay in shape,” she said. They also tend not to abuse alcohol or drugs. In their personal lives, truckers do seek help with family matters and generally have good control of their finances.

But the lack of information and wellness counseling may be one reason why truckers don’t take better care of themselves, Roberts acknowledged.

For the full story, see the August 23 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.