Survey Reveals Chronic Disease Risks Among Truck Drivers
Truck drivers, according to a survey from NIOSH, are more likely to smoke and have other high-risk factors — like hypertension, high cholesterol and obesity — for chronic diseases.
A recent study involving nearly 1,700 long-haul truck drivers uncovered a range of chronic disease risk factors prevalent among this group, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, inactivity, and inadequate sleep.
The research, conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, is titled “Obesity and Other Risk Factors: The National Survey of U.S. Long-Haul Truck Driver Health and Injury.” The findings indicate that truck drivers are significantly more likely to be obese compared to the general U.S. adult working population, where 69% of the drivers surveyed were classified as obese (based on body mass index), with 17% identified as morbidly obese.
Furthermore, 88% of the surveyed drivers acknowledged having at least one risk factor for chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure or smoking, in contrast to only 54% of the wider U.S. working adult population.
Out of 3,759 drivers surveyed across various truck stops nationwide, 1,670 were confirmed as long-haul drivers, the specific focus of the study. Among the participants, 64.5% were company drivers, while 35.5% operated their own trucks, with 90% working in the for-hire sector. Over 60% of those surveyed fell within the 40-59 age range, and 17% were aged 30-39, with an additional 14.8% in the 60-69 age group.
In addition to revealing these high-risk factors, the study underscores the necessity for targeted health interventions aimed at long-haul drivers, along with ongoing surveillance to measure progress in addressing their health requirements.
Support for the study was provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Dr. John Howard, Director of NIOSH, emphasized the essential role of truck drivers in the nation’s economy, stating, “This initial survey helps us work collaboratively with the trucking industry to improve the lives of truckers both on the road and at home.”
