Truck Driving’s Health Challenges

DULUTH, Minn. – According to medical professionals and industry insiders, truck driving ranks as one of the least healthy careers.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics substantiates this perspective, identifying trucking as one of the highest-risk jobs in the U.S. in a 2007 study. While the obvious risks relate to highway accidents, unhealthy lifestyle choices also contribute significantly, according to Dr. Clayton Cowl of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

“Commercial drivers are among the least healthy of any specific job group,” noted Cowl. High incidences of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease are prevalent. Additionally, issues such as back pain and obstructive sleep apnea are common in this demographic. Dr. Cowl is so committed to trucker health that he has even obtained a Class A commercial driver’s license.

Research published in the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Journal in 2010 indicated that male unionized truckers have a life expectancy of 63 years, while independent truck drivers have a life expectancy of 55.7 years. Although a frequently mentioned life expectancy of 61 years exists on various internet forums, some question its validity. Jon Vinje, president and CEO of Halvor Lines in Superior, Wis., reports hearing 62 years as the life expectancy for truck drivers, compared to the overall U.S. life expectancy of 78.6 years, with U.S. males averaging 76.1 years. The figures for truckers are alarmingly close to those in Haiti, which are around 62.8 years.

Factors Impacting Health

What makes trucking particularly detrimental to health? “An unpredictable and erratic schedule stands out as a significant factor,” Cowl stated. Federal regulations allow drivers to be on the road for up to 11 hours per day. Many truckers, paid by the mile, often drive for 10 to 11 out of every 24 hours, which introduces stress from unpredictable weather and road conditions.

Moreover, truckers often find their food options lacking in nutrition. Keith Terska, a driver services coordinator for Halvor Lines, relayed how truck stops have shifted from offering sit-down dining to fast food. “Back in the day, you could walk into a truck stop and order a proper meal,” he recalled. Although improvements are being made with healthier options, time constraints often lead drivers to choose convenience over nutrition.

Advancements in Truck Driver Health

Recognizing this issue, Kathryn Clements of Cannon Falls co-authored a book titled “Real Meals on 18 Wheels” with Harriet Hodgson from Rochester. A registered dietitian since 1990, Clements has specialized in the health of truckers for the past decade. She highlights that the trucking community is a “high-risk population” that has been largely overlooked and came to realize this during a seminar aimed at improving their dietary habits.

As truck driver health awareness grows, both Cowl and Clements sense positive changes underway. More trucking companies are beginning to hire health and wellness directors, as Halvor Lines did this year, influenced by federal regulations that incentivize improved trucker health, especially among larger fleets. “We’re at the dawn of a new era in the trucking industry,” Cowl proclaimed, expressing optimism about the advancements being made for drivers’ well-being.