Citation

Birdsey J, Sieber WK, Chen GX, Hitchcock EM, Lincoln JE, Nakata A, Robinson CF, Sweeney MH. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 2015; 57(2): 210-216.

Affiliation

From the Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies (Ms Birdsey and Drs Sieber, Robinson, and Sweeney), and Division of Applied Research and Technology (Dr Hitchcock), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, Ohio; and Division of Safety Research (Dr Chen and Ms Lincoln), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, W Va.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/JOM.0000000000000338

PMID

25654523

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: 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.

METHODS: 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.

RESULTS: 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.

CONCLUSIONS: 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.

Language: en