Health – Long-Haul Truck Drivers

Truck drivers were twice as likely to be obese compared to other US workers. Being obese, or overweight, can increase the risk of other health problems, such as:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• High cholesterol
• Sleep apnea
• Lack of physical activity

Learn more about how you can prevent obesity in CDC’s Vital Signs on Adult Obesity.

• See our infographic: Obesity can take you off the road to learn more about these results.

We found truck drivers were twice as likely to smoke compared to other US workers. We also found smoking was three times higher among the female drivers compared to other women in the US workforce^[1]. Smoking may be higher among truckers because it may help combat fatigue^[2].

Smoking increases your risk of^[3]:

• Cancer, including the lungs, bladder, blood, cervix, colon/rectal, kidneys, esophagus, liver, larynx, stomach, and pancreas
• Coronary heart disease
• Emphysema
• Stroke

The CDC offers tips on how to quit smoking.

If you smoke because you are trying to stay awake, here are some other ways you can combat fatigue:

• Get more than seven hours of sleep a night
• Drink more water
• Increase physical activity
• Increase omega-3 fatty acids, which can boost your alertness when taken regularly
• Loose extra weight by cutting down on portion sizes and trying to eat a well-balanced diet.
• Eat smaller meals more often during the day to help steady your blood sugar level.

^[1] Birdsey J, Sieber WK, Chen GX, Hitchcock EM, Lincoln JE, Nakara A, Robinson CF, Sweeney MH. 2015. National survey of  US long-haul truck driver health and injury: Health behaviors. JOEM. 57 (2); 210-216.
^[2] Williamson A, Sadural S, Feyer AM, Friswell R. 2001. Driver Fatigue: A survey of professional long distance heavy vehicle drivers in Australia. Canberra, ACT: Australian Transport Safety Bureau. Accessed online December 18, 2013.
^[3] CDC. Smoking and Tobacco Use webpage

Among those surveyed, three out of four truck drivers said they did not get the recommended amount of physical activity. We found only 1 out of 4 men and 1 out of 5 women drivers said they exercised for 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Getting at least 2 ½ hours of vigorous physical activity a week has been found to improve sleep, reduce stress, enhance alertness, and reduce the chance of car crashes.

Here is more information on physical activity guidelines for adults and tips on how to incorporate more activity into your day.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is when your blood pressure rises and stays high for a long time, which can lead to heart damage and other health problems. It can also raise your risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the United States.

We found 26% of truck drivers said they have hypertension, compared to 24% of the US working population.

Learn more about hypertension

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. Insulinexternal icon, a hormoneexternal icon made by the pancreasexternal icon, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy. Sometimes your body doesn’t make enough—or any—insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. Glucose then stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells.

Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause health problems, such as:

• heart disease
• blindness
• kidney failure
• low-extremity amputations

We found 14% of truck drivers said they have diabetes compared to 7% of the US working population.

Learn more about diabetesexternal icon