LONG-HAUL TRUCK DRIVERS

Overview

Long-haul truck drivers are essential to the transportation of goods in the United States, but the demands of their job may contribute to a greater chance for health problems. Irregular schedules, long hours, little physical activity, limited access to healthy foods on the road, and stress make healthy living a challenge for long-haul truck drivers.

Long-haul truck drivers are drivers of heavy and tractor-trailers (trucks having a capacity of at least 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)). Their freight delivery routes require them to sleep away from home. [1]

Truck drivers have a greater chance for many chronic diseases and health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity compared to U.S. adult workers.[2] In 2012, the rate for nonfatal injuries in heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was three times greater than the rate for U.S. adult workers.

In 2010, NIOSH conducted a national survey on long-haul truck drivers to better understand the combined effects of these health conditions, behaviors, and work environments on safety and health. NIOSH is still doing research to explain the relationship between work environment and a higher likelihood of health problems.