By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    bowl of vegetable salad
    Raw Foods: benefits and harms
    November 9, 2021
    pros and cons of the keto diet
    Read This Before You Follow the Keto Diet
    May 18, 2022
    spinal cord injuries
    4 Potential Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries (and How to Seek Compensation)
    May 25, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    The key stakeholders involved in improving healthcare policy
    The Key Stakeholders involved in Improving Healthcare Policy
    October 26, 2023
    medical erros avoid
    How to Report Medication Errors and Why It’s Important
    November 17, 2024
    Essential Steps for Developing a Life Care Plan
    Essential Steps for Developing a Life Care Plan
    December 26, 2024
    Latest News
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: The Importance of Truck Driver Health and Safety
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Wellness > The Importance of Truck Driver Health and Safety
Wellness

The Importance of Truck Driver Health and Safety

Truckers have very important jobs but they can also face a slew of health concerns if they aren't careful.

Alice Jackson
Last updated: January 14, 2024 9:16 pm
Alice Jackson
Share
4 Min Read
trucker healthy living
Shutterstock Licensed Photo - 1990711376 | Virrage Images
SHARE

Long-haul trucking is the backbone of the American distribution and supply chain network. But despite the hard work and important contributions that truckers make to the US economy, they suffer many health problems and occupational hazards that often go overlooked and unaddressed. It’s important to stay healthy on the road, and many common health problems can easily be avoided and treated if given the proper care and attention.

Contents
Common Health ProblemsHow to Prevent Illness and InjuryWhy It’s Important to Stay Healthy

Common Health Problems

Trucking is demanding because it requires long periods of sedentary sitting, punctuated by brief periods of heavy and potentially dangerous work. Truckers can legally drive for up to 15 hours at a time if they take a thirty-minute break. That is not nearly enough time to stretch, exercise, and care for the body.

These long hours of uninterrupted sitting lead to heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, and tension, pain, and stiffness in the muscles, back, and neck. Truckers also contract diabetes twice as much as the general population. 14% of truckers are diabetic, compared to 7% of regular society. When truckers aren’t sitting, they’re changing heavy tires on the side of the road, moving bulky cargo, pumping toxic gas, or fixing tough-to-move parts on their truck. This puts extreme stress on their body and leads to frequent injuries, accidents, and long-term health problems.

Truckers also suffer mentally and emotionally. Truckers can develop extreme fatigue, sleep apnea, depression, anxiety, and addictions from hours of loneliness in an isolated, boring, repetitive, and physically taxing job. Unfortunately, studies have reported higher drug use among truckers. The DOT requires all commercial truck drivers to pass random drug tests to prevent drivers from putting themselves and other in harm’s way.

More Read

Psoriasis Self-Care Tips
4 Types of Physiotherapy to Consider
VITAMIN GUMMIES – A HEALTHY TREAT FOR EVERYONE
5 Ways to Help Boost Your Happiness
3 Top and Most Recent Cycling Technologies

How to Prevent Illness and Injury

Fortunately, there are ways to significantly reduce the risks of physical, mental, and emotional illness among truck drivers. Healthy habits such as 30 minutes of daily stretching and exercise, a cleaner diet with less processed foods and more fresh fruits and vegetables, eight hours of sleep, more time spent socializing, and refraining from drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and stimulants on and off the road can greatly reduce the health and injury risks associated with trucking.

These habits can help prevent and also reverse certain health conditions, leading to a fit, healthy, and sustainable lifestyle even in a challenging industry. These habits may not seem significant. However, engaging in supportive and healthy behaviors consistently over time can make drastic statistical and practical differences.

Finally, truckers tend to put off or ignore health problems and are often overlooked and underserved by healthcare providers. Truckers need adequate medical coverage and encouragement to seek medical attention and routine checkups to identify and treat potential health problems before they become serious issues.

Why It’s Important to Stay Healthy

Trucking is a physically demanding job, and truckers need to stay fit since they have a sedentary job to make money and enjoy life with their friends, families, and communities. Nobody should have to suffer just to make a living. And there is no point in succumbing to illnesses, injuries, and preventable health problems if help, prevention, and treatment are available.

Truckers support our country’s economy. They should not do so at the expense of their well-being and physical health. Truckers deserve support, admiration, respect, and encouragement to take care of themselves using available resources and methods. Truckers need to know their contributions matter, and that their health is a priority. If truckers take care of themselves, they can take care of business – and keep on trucking!

TAGGED:healthy living
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By Alice Jackson
Follow:
Alice Jackson is a business consultant, blogger, social media enthusiast, online market analyst, amateur designer and an avid author at Designhill. She has written on several topics including social media marketing, SEO, content marketing, startup strategies and e-commerce. When she’s not writing, she loves spending her time reading romantic novels. Connect with her on Twitter: @jackson_alice1

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025

You Might also Like

Wellness

Benefits of Green Apples

July 31, 2012
healthy living tips working from home
Wellness

Important Guidelines To Stay Healthy Working From Home

August 26, 2021
Dental healthHome Health

The Link Between Dental Health And Overall Health

June 15, 2020

Doctors 2.0 and You: Conference, Community, and Medical Association #doctors20

July 22, 2015
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?