Health Of Truck Drivers Research Articles

Exploring the Health and Economic Burden Among Truck Drivers in Australia: A Health Economic Modelling Study

Background The transport and logistics industry contributes to a significant proportion of the Australian economy. However, few studies have explored the economic and clinical burden attributed to poor truck driver health. We therefore estimated the work-related mortality burden among truck drivers over a 10-year period. Methods Dynamic life table modelling was used to simulate the follow-up of the Australian male working-age population (aged 15–65 years) over a 10-year period of follow-up (2021–2030). The model estimated the number of deaths occurring among the Australian working population, as well as deaths occurring for male truck drivers. Data from the Driving Health study and other published sources were used to inform work-related mortality and associated productivity loss, hospitalisations and medication costs, patient utilities and the value of statistical life year (VoSLY). All outcomes were discounted by 5% per annum. Results Over 10 years, poor truck driver health was associated with a loss of 21,173 years of life lived (discounted), or 18,294 QALYs (discounted). Healthcare costs amounted to AU$485 million (discounted) over this period. From a broader, societal perspective, a total cost of AU$2.6 billion (discounted) in lost productivity and AU$4.7 billion in lost years of life was estimated over a 10-year period. Scenario analyses supported the robustness of our findings. Conclusions The health and economic consequences of poor driver health are significant, and highlight the need for interventions to reduce the burden of work-related injury or disease for truck drivers and other transport workers.

Effects of a seat-integrated mobilization system on long-haul truck drivers motion activity, muscle stiffness and discomfort during a 4.5-h simulated driving task

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a seat-integrated mobilization system on motion activity, muscle stiffness and discomfort during prolonged driving. MethodDuring a 4.5-h driving task, motion activity, muscle stiffness and discomfort (measured subjectively and objectively) of long-haul truck drivers were determined and compared intra-individually in a test condition with mobilization (seat-integrated stimulation) and a control condition under standardized conditions in a simulated driving study (N = 16). ResultsIn the experimental condition, participants showed a significantly increased motion activity and a reduced muscle stiffness compared to the control condition. Furthermore, discomfort occurred significantly more frequently in the control condition. ConclusionThe mobilization system increased motion activity and reduced discomfort as well as muscle stiffness. Therefore, it provides considerable potential to counteract negative effects of prolonged sitting and to promote truck driver's health.

Abstract PO-184: Investigating factors associated with colorectal cancer incidence among long-haul truck drivers in the United States

Abstract A retrospective cross-sectional analysis using Commercial Driver Medical Exam (CDME) data was performed to determine the association between colorectal cancer (CRC) risk factors and CRC incidence among long-haul truck drivers (ages 21-85), after adjustment for age. Our hypothesis was that long-haul truck drivers with poor health have a higher prevalence of CRC due to the confluence of CRC risk factors experienced by this population after adjusting for age. CRC is a common and deadly malignancy with several known risk factors, including heavy alcohol use, obesity, high consumption of processed and red meat, sedentary lifestyle, and tobacco use. Long-haul truck drivers have a high prevalence of the abovementioned risk factors, yet CRC risk has not been studied in this group. Given the reported risk factors associated with the truck driving occupation married to the lack of health literature and, a need remains to extensively examine the health of long-haul truck drivers. National survey data from January 1, 2005, to October 31, 2012, among commercial motor vehicle drivers in 48 states were examined. The CDME does not have a specific question about CRC diagnosis, text recognition was used to identify specific terms in the CDME notes and comments. Next, the entire CDME was reviewed by two researchers to determine definite versus probable CRC diagnosis, blinded to all other data. Our team also identified 311 records by searching for the following terms: colon, rectum, cancer, colorectal, CRC, and polyp. To achieve the study purpose, Kruskal-Wallis tests were employed to analyze continuous variables and Fischer's exact tests to analyze categorical variables. CRC incidence was the primary outcome, while our independent variables included demographics, body mass index, along with concomitant medication conditions verified by a medical examiner. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression was utilized to quantify the magnitude and direction of the association between our independent variables of interest and CRC incidence. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were adjusted for age, gender, years of employment with the company, and Body Mass Index in a multivariate logistic regression. Obesity (OR=4.28; 95% CI=1.28-14.29) and increasing age (OR=1.09; 95% CI=1.06-1.12) were significantly associated with CRC incidence. Additionally, truckers with 4+ concomitant medical conditions were more likely to have CRC (OR=5.58; 95% CI=1.26 – 24.75). Despite a growing body of literature ascertaining the health of truck drivers and risk factors associated with truck driving as an occupation, knowledge gaps remain, and inadequate data is available on this population for CRC. Our findings highlight mutable risk factors and represent an opportunity for intervention that may decrease CRC morbidity and mortality among truck drivers—a unique population estimated to live up to 16 years less than the general male population. Citation Format: Jasmine A. Lopez, Ethan M. Petersen, Folasade P. May, Ellen Brooks, Matthew S. Thiese, Carson D. Kennedy, Charles R. Rogers. Investigating factors associated with colorectal cancer incidence among long-haul truck drivers in the United States [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-184.

Demographic and Cardiovascular Risk Factors Associated with Drug Use in Truck Drivers in the State of São Paulo, Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of the study is to analyze the association between risk factors for the health of truck drivers and previous use of illicit drugs. A cross-sectional study examined the data from 2071 truck drivers between 2010 and 2016. Demographic variables, risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the use of illicit drugs were analyzed. The stepwise logistic regression model was used for the adjusted analysis. The dependent variable was the previous use of illicit drugs, and independent variables were those with p < 0.1 at a bivariate analysis. The average age of the truck drivers was 42.27 ± 11.07 years, and the previous use of illicit drugs was reported or detected in 388 (18.7%) drivers. Compared to non-users, drug users were younger (37.25 ± 9.45 vs. 43.43 ± 11.1 years; p < 0.001) and single (43.3% vs. 28.4%; p < 0.001). The independent variables for illicit drugs were age (OR = 0.93 (95% CI: 0.91–0.95; p < 0.001)), smoking (OR = 2.18 (95% CI: 1.39–3.44; p = 0.001)), alcohol consumption (OR = 1.626 (95% CI: 1.06–2.49; p = 0.026)) and driving hours per day (OR = 1.08 (95% CI: 1.01–1.15; p = 0.012)). Users of illicit drugs had multiple risk factors for CVD and traffic accidents.

Cardiometabolic risk factors and mental health status among truck drivers: a systematic review

ObjectiveThis study aimed to systematically review and summarise the literature on cardiometabolic risk factors, lifestyle health behaviours and mental health status of truck drivers globally to ascertain the scale of...

Prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders in truck drivers and its associated risk factors

Background: The main purpose of the study was to find out the different joints affected in the truck drivers and the associated-risk factors for musculoskeletal pain in this population due to the paucity of literature pertaining to Indian truck drivers.Methods: A self-administered closed-ended validated questionnaire was prepared by the researcher incorporated with Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire and numeric pain rating scale and the participants were questioned using the same questionnaire and response was recorded by the researcher.Results: This study found a prevalence rate of work-related musculoskeletal pain to be 76.92% in truck drivers and the most commonly affected joints are lower back followed by the knee, shoulder and cervical spine. The factors which are found to be responsible for work related musculoskeletal pain in truck drivers are age, years of driving, number of driving days in a week, number of driving hours in a day, rest duration, posture, stress, vibration &amp; poor condition of roads.Conclusions: It can be concluded from the results of this study that extrinsic factors do play a significant role in the causation of work-related musculoskeletal pain in truck drivers and are a leading cause for affecting the health of truck drivers and a frequent cause of sickness absenteeism.

Mixed-method analysis of truck driver health knowledge using an online forum

Truck driving in North America is a high-risk occupation, with some of the highest rates of illness and injuries in comparison to other occupations (Sieber et al., 2014). This study aims to understand the knowledge that truck drivers have of health. Posts from The Truckers Report’s Health Forum, an online forum for truck drivers, were coded into 1 of 11 determined codes to represent different aspects of health (The Truckers Report, 2016). Proxy measures such as Total Posts, views:post, replies:post, and views:reply were created to assess forum posts discussions. A total of 1760 forum posts were analyzed through qualitative coding and quantitative measures including rankings. Lastly, to determine how drivers’ knowledge of the complex system affecting their health, 150 randomized forum posts were coded for Rasmussen’s (1997) systems levels related to health risk.Overall, use of the Health Forum has decreased over time while other forums on the Truckers Report did not. This may represent a decrease in value or engagement towards health from truckers. Analysis suggested that truck drivers had awareness of many of the codes, with the exception of safety, but very little knowledge within the themes. Furthermore, truck drivers indicated very little knowledge on how societal systems affect the health of the individual, and instead placed all the responsibility and outcomes related to health on the individual.When working to improve health in truck drivers, companies and health care professionals should be aware of a knowledge gap within drivers regarding their understanding of health and disease prevention.

US long-haul truck driver health demands integrated approach

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of both occupational safety and health (OSH) and worksite health promotion (WHP) efforts targeted at long-haul truck drivers (LHTDs) and to identify strengths and weaknesses to inform future interventions and/or policy changes. Design/methodology/approach Review of the literature was done to identify theoretical and methodological approaches frequently used for protecting and promoting the health and well-being of LHTDs. Findings Health and safety issues impacting LHTDs are complex and naturally interrelated. Historically, the majority of approaches to the health and safety of LHTDs have emphasized the safety side and there has been a lack of comprehensive and integrated WHP/OSH attempts. Originality/value The literature pertaining to LHTD health has expanded in recent years, but intervention and policy efforts have had limited success. Several scholars have discussed the need for integrating WHP/OSH efforts for LHTD health, but have not actually provided a description or a framework of what it entails in which the authors provide a conclusion to the review of the literature. The authors provide a critical discussion regarding a collaborative approach focused on National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health’s Total Worker Health model. The integration further promotes an advancement of theoretical and methodological strategies.

Commercial Truck Driver Health and Safety: Exploring Distracted Driving Performance and Self-Reported Driving Skill.

Reducing distracters detrimental to commercial truck driving is a critical component of improving the safety performance of commercial drivers, and makes the highways safer for all drivers. This study used a driving simulator to examine effects of cell phone, texting, and email distractions as well as self-reported driver optimism bias on the driving performance of commercial truck drivers. Results revealed that more visually demanding tasks were related to poorer driving performance. However, the cell phone task resulted in less off-the-road eye glances. Drivers reporting being "very skilled" displayed poorer driving performance than those reporting being "skilled." Onboard communication devices provide a practical, yet visually and manually demanding, solution for connecting drivers and dispatchers. Trucking company policies should minimize interaction between dispatchers and drivers when the truck is in motion. Training facilities should integrate driving simulators into the instruction of commercial drivers, targeting over-confident drivers.

The Obesogenic Environment of Commercial Trucking: A Worksite Environmental Audit and Implications for Systems-Based Interventions

Background: Commercial trucker health is a vital public health concern. Enhanced understanding of the multiplicity, diversity, interdependence, and complexity of policies, resources, and stakeholders relevant to healthful living in trucking worksites can guide future interventions. Purpose: This article examines how the environmental attributes of commercial trucking worksites influence truck drivers' opportunities for healthful eating and active living and provides a preliminary discussion on how complexity science can help design more efficacious interventions. Methods: A 250-item audit instrument was used to measure the presence of corporate, social, and built environment attributes of 25 diverse trucking worksites that can influence food choices and physical activity of truckers. Results: Findings from truckstops, trucking terminals, warehouses, and highway rest areas along key transportation routes revealed that these worksites are severely burdened by structural and institutional barriers and essentially represent what can be called healthy living deserts. Discussion: Comprehensive interventions to address organizational barriers for health-supportive trucking worksites are critical because truck driver health has far-reaching ramifications for drivers and others. Translation to Health Education Practice: Because traditional worksite wellness programs for truckers have had limited success, the application of complex systems methodologies has an increased potential to advance high-leverage, sustainable intervention configurations.

Does truck driver health and wellness deserve more attention?

Numerous external costs of logistics exist that can have an indirect impact on business or society. This paper outlines the external cost of truck driver health and how it may have a negative impact on supply chains. As key contributors to logistics and transportation, truck drivers have a substantial impact on the global economy. However, the high demands of their jobs can often lead them to overlook their health and well-being, which can negatively impact drivers, their firms, and supply chains. This is a critical issue that has largely been overlooked in the logistics and transportation literature. The purpose of this paper is to identify the issue and some of its key components in order to induce awareness in the logistics community. It also seeks to motivate future research that may help to alleviate the problems that may arise as a result of unhealthy truck drivers. With a shortage of drivers and a looming capacity crisis already being experienced in many key global economic areas, it is imperative that the drivers that are currently available are able to serve to the best of their abilities.

Using three-phase theory-based formative research to explore healthy eating in Australian truck drivers

In Australia, fruit and vegetable consumption is lower than recommended while discretionary foods (i.e., foods high in fat, sugar, and salt) are eaten in excess. Long-haul truck drivers are a group at risk of unhealthy eating but have received limited attention in the health literature. We aimed to examine long-haul truck drivers eating decisions in order to develop theory-based and empirically-driven health messages to improve their healthy food choices. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behavior, three-phased formative research was conducted using self-report surveys. Phase 1 (N = 30, Mage = 39.53, SDage = 10.72) identified modal salient beliefs about fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and limiting discretionary choices (DC). There were nine behavioral and seven normative beliefs elicited for both FV and DC; while nine and five control beliefs were elicited for FV and DC, respectively. Phase 2 (N = 148, Mage = 44.23, SDage = 12.08) adopted a prospective design with one week follow-up to examine the predictors of FV and DC intention and behavior. A variety of behavioral and control beliefs were predictive of FV and DC intention and behavior. Normative beliefs were predictive of FV intention and behavior and DC intention only. Phase 3 (N = 20, Mage = 46.9, SDage = 12.85) elicited the reasons why each belief is held/solutions to negative beliefs, that could be used as health messages. In total, 40 reasons/solutions were identified: 26 for FV and 14 for DC. In summary, we found that specific behavioral, normative and control beliefs influenced FV and DC eating decisions. These results have implications for truck driver's health and provide formative research to inform future interventions to improve the food choices of a unique group who are at risk of unhealthy eating behaviors.

Repeated Cross-Sectional Assessment of Commercial Truck Driver Health.

To assess relationships and trends over time in individual conditions and multiple conditions among a large sample of independent, nonoverlapping truck drivers using a repeated cross-sectional study design. Commercial driver medical examinations were conducted on 95,567 commercial drivers between January 1, 2005, and October 31, 2012. Specific medical conditions that have been identified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Medical Review Board as possibly increasing crash risk were examined. Prevalence and trends over time were analyzed. A total of 8 of the 13 conditions significantly increased from 2005 to 2012. Prevalence of multiple concomitant conditions also increased, with prevalence odds ratios as high as 7.39 (95% confidence interval, 3.92 to 13.98) for four or more conditions in 2012 as compared with 2005. Individual and multiple conditions thought to be associated with increased crash risk significantly increased between 2005 and 2012.

National Survey of US Long-Haul Truck Driver Health and Injury

To compare selected health behaviors and body mass index (modifiable risk factors) of US long-haul truck drivers to the US working population by sex. The National Survey of US Long-Haul Truck Driver Health and Injury interviewed a nationally representative sample of long-haul truck drivers (n = 1265) at truck stops. Age-adjusted results were compared with national health surveys. Compared with US workers, drivers had significantly higher body mass index, current cigarette use, and pack-years of smoking; lower prevalence of annual influenza vaccination; and generally lower alcohol consumption. Physical activity level was low for most drivers, and 25% had never had their cholesterol levels tested. Working conditions common to long-haul trucking may create significant barriers to certain healthy behaviors; thus, transportation and health professionals should address the unique work environment when developing interventions for long-haul drivers.

Obesity and other risk factors: The National Survey of U.S. Long‐Haul Truck Driver Health and Injury

Drivers of heavy and tractor-trailer trucks accounted for 56% of all production and nonsupervisory employees in the truck transportation industry in 2011. There are limited data for illness and injury in long-haul truck drivers, which prompted a targeted national survey. Interviewers collected data during 2010 from 1,670 long-haul truck drivers at 32 truck stops across the 48 contiguous United States that were used to compute prevalence estimates for self-reported health conditions and risk factors. Obesity (69% vs. 31%, P < 0.01) and current smoking (51% vs. 19%, P < 0.01) were twice as prevalent in long-haul truck drivers as in the 2010 U.S. adult working population. Sixty-one percent reported having two or more of the risk factors: hypertension, obesity, smoking, high cholesterol, no physical activity, 6 or fewer hours of sleep per 24-hr period. Survey findings suggest a need for targeted interventions and continued surveillance for long-haul truck drivers.

Organização do Trabalho e Comprometimento da Saúde: Um Estudo em Caminhoneiros

The study discusses some health problems or health risks - obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, postural alterations, for instance - found in the work of truck drivers, considering aspects related to work organization. Data collection was carried out during the development of a health program focused on the health of truck drivers, sponsored by the Concessionary of the Anhanguera-Bandeirantes System - AutoBAn (a company of the CCR Group), along the Anhanguera and the Bandeirantes highways in the state of Sao Paulo. A closed questionnaire was used for the survey containing questions directed to the life style and work style of truck drivers, and to the way they interfered in their quality of life and their health. Blood pressure of the truckers was measured and other health parameters were analyzed, such as smoking, sedentarism, overweight and obesity, and hereditary factors for diseases. The results of the study show that to 53,39% of the truck drivers interviewed their work activity interferes in their physical health, whereas 43,89% indicated an impact on their mental health. There is also an evident influence of working time and irregular schedules on physical and psychological overcharge, and their mental and physical symptoms, such as relationship problems, loneliness, sleepiness, irritability, fatigue, and diminished reflex that can lead not only to chronic diseases but also acute diseases, among which, polytraumatisms caused by accidents in the highways. Keywords: Truck drivers. Unusual schedule. Work organization. Worker illness.

Trucking Organization and Mental Health Disorders of Truck Drivers

There are over 3 million truck drivers employed in the commercial transportation and material moving occupations, one of the largest occupational groups in the United States. Workers in this large and growing occupational segment are at risk for a range of occupational health-induced conditions, including mental health and psychiatric disorders due to high occupational stress, low access and use of health care, and limited social support. The purpose of this study was to explore male truck drivers’ mental health risks and associated comorbidities, using a cross-sectional and quantitative design. Data were collected from a random sample of 316 male truckers between the ages of 23 and 76 at a large truck stop located within a 100-mile radius of Greensboro, North Carolina, USA, using a self-administered 82-item questionnaire. Surveyed truckers were found to have significant issues affecting their mental health, such as loneliness (27.9%), depression (26.9%), chronic sleep disturbances (20.6%), anxiety (14.5%), and other emotional problems (13%). Findings have potential to help researchers develop interventions to improve the emotional and occupational health of truck drivers, a highly underserved population. Mental health promotion, assessment, and treatment must become a priority to improve the overall trucking environment for truckers, the transportation industry, and safety on US highways.

An investigation of a semiactive suspension for a fork lift truck

This paper investigates the feasibility of a semiactive suspension of the cabin of a fork lift truck as a way of reducing the effect of harmful vibrations on the health of truck drivers. A suspension based on MR fluid dampers has been designed and implemented on an actual vehicle and heuristic control strategy has been developed, which preserves the filtering properties of the passive suspension when the vehicle moves in a straight line with a constant velocity and suppresses the large amplitude pitch and roll motion during turns and braking. Field tests have demonstrated a substantial comfort improvement with respect to the passive suspension, during the braking and turning phases, without any noticeable detrimental effects.