Preventing Work Injuries and Chronic Illnesses in Truckers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Hegmann KT
• Description:
  Background: Commercial Truck Drivers have numerous risk factors for chronic illnesses and poor health status, particularly problems directly or indirectly related to obesity and physical inactivity. This project included both: 1) large cross sectional study of truck driver's health and 2) development of a Health Promotion Program tailored to the needs of the Commercial Truck Driving population. Methods: We successfully enrolled 817 Commercial Truck Drivers in a large cross-sectional study. Data collected included demographics, psychosocial factors, diet, physical activity, tobacco, medical history (e.g., diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, sleep disorders, lipid disorders, low back pain), over the counter and prescription medication use, hours of driving and sleep habits. We also collected information on truck driving crashes and near-miss crashes. We measured blood pressure, heart rate, weight, height, and circumferences (waist, hip, chest and neck). We collected blood samples. Truck stops were visited to identify currently available food options and assess realistic physical activity options and limitations. Focus groups were conducted. A WHEEL program was developed. We then pilot tested the WHEEL program. Results: A total of 817 U.S. truck drivers from 46 different states participated, including 705 (86.3%) males and 112 (13.7%) females. Drivers averaged 47.3 +/- 10.5 years old. The mean BMI was 32.88 ( +/- 7.40) kg/m2. Mean total cholesterol was 191.99 ( +/- 1.2) mg/dL. The mean number of minutes per week of total physical activity is 322.5 ( +/- 373.1) min. per week. Mean hours worked per week was 57.9 ( +/- 21.0) hours. Career mileage ranged widely. There were many statistically significant relationships between being involved in that reportable crash and personal factors psychosocial factors and occupational factors. The likelihood of crash increased by 3%, OR 1.03 per year of drivers age. Every year increase in total professional drive time was associated with an increase in involvement in a crash with an OR = 1.04. Self-reported snoring at night was associated with an increased risk of being involved in a reportable crash with an OR 1.40. Those reporting having been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease were statistically significantly more likely to have been involved in a reportable crash with an OR = 2.00 as compared to those who were not diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. Cell phone use while driving was also associated with increased risk of a reportable crash. Some psychosocial data were also associated with risk of crash, including a history of family problems, feeling tense, feeling uneasy, and feeling physically exhausted. Focus group data included that drivers universally desired good health. However, few reported seeking health care on a consistent basis. Many barriers to healthy lifestyle (food options and exercise) were reported consistently. Conclusion: There are many morbid health conditions and associated factors that are elevated in this population of Commercial Truck Drivers. We successfully developed a health promotion program to address major risks in these workers. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Diet Health Promotion Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Cross Sectional Studies Health Promotion Obesity Physical Fitness Psychosocial Factors Truck Drivers Trucking
• Series:
  Grant Final Reports
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Final Grant Report
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 8 ; Utah
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  OEP - Office of Extramural Programs
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-84
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20056603
• NTIS Accession Number:
  PB2019-101409
• Citation:
  Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, R01-OH-009155, 2014 May; :1-84
• Contact Point Address:
  Kurt T. Hegmann, MD, MPH, Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational & Environmental Health, University of Utah, 391 Chipeta Way, Suite C SLC, UT 84108
• Email:
  Kurt.hegmann@hsc.utah.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2014
• NORA Priority Area:
  Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities
• Performing Organization:
  University of Utah
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20070901
• Source Full Name:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• End Date:
  20110831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:fce0cf7215d02d78e8ca99cbcc6c925723928f11c9a725f02597e512c3144c71d89360a39970f54de2260874ecc6c758b95b20fc48f67772709eac4e6d4ced52
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/218903/cdc_218903_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 952.73 KB ]