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Health survey of U.S. long-haul truck drivers: Work environment, physical health, and healthcare access

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Apostolopoulos, Yorghos; | Sönmez, Sevil | Shattell, Mona M. | Gonzales, Clifford | Fehrenbacher, Caitlin

Affiliations: Department of Public Health Education, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA | Emory University School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, GA, USA | University of North Carolina Greensboro, Bryan School of Business and Economics, Greensboro, NC, USA | DePaul University, School of Nursing, Chicago, IL, USA | University of North Carolina Greensboro, School of Nursing, Greensboro, NC, USA | Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Sevil Sönmez, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Bryan School of Business and Economics, 441-C Bryan Building, Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA. Tel.: +1 336 334 4413; E-mail: sesonmez@uncg.edu

Keywords: Long-haul truckers, trucking work environment, occupational health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-121553

Journal: Work, vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 113-123, 2013

Received 18 October 2011
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Accepted 25 January 2012
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Published: 2013
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: While trucking in industrialized nations is linked with driver health afflictions, the role of trucking in U.S. truckers' health remains largely unknown. This paper sheds light on links between the trucking work environment and drivers' physical health.

METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, 316 truckers were enrolled in the Healthy Trucker Survey. Questions included work history, physical and mental health, and healthcare access. PASW 18 was used to examine patterns among factors.

PARTICIPANTS: 316 truckers participated.

RESULTS: Respondents were mainly full-time, long-haul drivers with over 5 years of experience, and who spent over 17 days on the road per month. While almost 75% described their health as good, 83.4% were overweight/obese, 57.9% had sleeping disturbances, 56.3% fatigue, 42.3% musculoskeletal disorders, and about 40% cardiovascular disease concerns. About 33% had no health insurance, 70% had no regular healthcare visits, 24.4% could not afford insurance, and 42.1% took over-the-counter drugs when sick, while 20.1% waited to reach home for medical care. Exercise facilities were unavailable in over 70% of trucking worksites and 70% of drivers did not exercise regularly.

CONCLUSIONS: The trucking occupation places drivers at high risk for poor health outcomes. Prospective studies are needed to delve into how continued exposure to trucking influences the progression of disease burden.

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