Abstract
Keywords
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers (Blumenthal et al., 2002). Commercial motor vehicle drivers encompass all workers responsible for delivering goods and services, including truck drivers (Commercial Driver’s License Program, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [FMCSA], n.d.). Truck drivers are responsible for transportation of heavy cargo loads, driving extensive distances by interstate, working demanding hours, and strenuous lifting and loading of vehicles (Healthy Trucking of America, 2023). This worker population is exposed to stressful driving conditions, hazardous weather, and strict deadlines to meet consumer demands (Healthy Trucking of America, 2023). Due to their irregular schedules, truck drivers are commonly deprived of healthy food options, frequent exercise, adequate sleep, and access to healthcare (Healthy Trucking of America, 2023).
A 2023 survey conducted by Healthy Truckers of America revealed that truck drivers suffer from obesity, diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, and CVD (Healthy Trucking of America, 2023). A 2018 study utilized a checklist developed by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) researchers to explore truck drivers’ accessibility to healthy environments, specifically at truck stops in the United States. The findings revealed a lack of access to healthy food options, medical clinics, and adequate exercise facilities (Lincoln et al., 2018). To date, the poor working conditions of this vulnerable worker population persist. A 2023 study demonstrated that CVD risk remained exceptionally high for truck drivers (50%) compared with the general population (30%) (Barnes, 2023). Seven in ten truck drivers are considered obese, which negatively affects their risk for developing chronic illnesses prevalent in this worker group (Resources—Long-Haul Truck Drivers, NIOSH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021).
In addition, a large proportion of truck drivers struggle to obtain health insurance due to their self-employed status (29%) or contract work for small companies (30%) (Barnes, 2023). Lack of insurance leads to decreased access to preventive healthcare services which are beneficial for early detection of CVD. While truck drivers are required to complete biannual physical examinations which involve obtaining vital signs, blood pressure, smoking status, and drug screening, these physical examinations fail to identify key indicators of CVD including body mass index (BMI), lipid panel, or physical fitness (Barnes).
Occupational health nurses can assist with screening and actively helping to improve access to preventive healthcare regardless of employee insurance status. In settings where occupational health nurses tailor their attention to a specific worker population, human resources can refer contracted truck drivers for regular screening initiatives, which may be beneficial in reducing company liability and ensuring the product transported by the driver safely reaches the consumer. Occupational health nurses can utilize tools such as the 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk calculator to determine the pervasiveness of CVD in the worker population (ASCVD Risk Estimator, n.d.). Barnes (2023) piloted a study which utilized the tool for insured and uninsured truck drivers, ultimately concluding its use as advantageous in enhancing assessment of worker fitness for duty while implicating minimal cost to the employer. Once baseline risk is gathered, occupational health nurses can focus healthcare education programs to benefit employee health and minimize risk through use of generalized resources promoted by NIOSH and the CDC (Resources—Long-Haul Truck Drivers, NIOSH, CDC, 2023). Occupational health nurses can also reference the Department of Transportation’s CVD guidelines, which outline clearance guidance for specific cardiac diseases (Blumenthal et al., 2002).
