The trucking industry delivers about 80% of all goods in the United States, so it is understandable that the health of truck drivers has become a top concern for transportation companies.According to a study by Travelers and Advisen, truck drivers are at higher risk than the general population for cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, sleep apnea and stress—in fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calculates that the life expectancy of a commercial truck driver is 16 years shorter than the national average. These health conditions can greatly affect job performance—drivers with three or more medical conditions, like obesity, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, are two to four times more likely to get in an accident than drivers with only one condition, while untreated sleep apnea makes drivers five times more likely to be involved in a preventable crash.
The report advised companies to recruit health-conscious drivers, offer health and wellness programs, and provide ongoing monitoring, training and support to help drivers stay healthy.