Long-haul drivers are plagued by significant health risks, according to a new study by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.

Almost 70% of these drivers are obese, compared to 31% of other workers, and the prevalence of morbid obesity is twice as high, 17% versus 7%.

Adding to their challenges, more than half of these drivers (51%) are cigarette smokers, compared to 19% of other workers.

And a significant percentage of them do not have health insurance or a health care plan: 38% versus 17% of others.

Karl Sieber of NIOSH laid out these details Tuesday in a presentation at the Transportation Research Board meeting in Washington, D.C.

NIOSH is the federal agency responsible for research and recommendations to prevent work-related injury.

About the Driver Health Study

The information was gathered in interviews with 1,670 long-haul drivers at 32 truck stops in 20 states.

The drivers were selected on the basis of four considerations:

• Truck driving had to be their main occupation.
• Their vehicle had to have three or more axles.
• They had to have at least a year of experience.
• And they had to take at least one mandatory 10-hour rest period away from home during each run.

The results of these interviews were compared to a statistical sample of working adults collected annually by the National Center for Health Statistics.

Besides the propensity toward obesity and smoking, the survey found a high incidence of self-reported diabetes, 14% versus 7% among other workers.

And fewer long-haul drivers described themselves as healthy: 84% said their health was excellent, very good or good, compared to 94% of other workers.

Sleepiness a Problem Among Truck Drivers in Study

The drivers offered varying reports on the amount of sleep they get.

• 27% said they get 6 or less hours in a day, compared to 30% of others.
• 51% said they get 6-8 hours, compared to 64%.
• 22% said they get more than 8 hours, compared to 5%.

In a preliminary look at sleepiness, the study found 15% of the drivers showed signs of sleep apnea, and 59% probably had some respiratory disturbance.

The study also looked at the effect of sleepiness, finding that 34% of drivers either nod off or fall asleep while driving. Seven percent of the drivers said they feel very drowsy almost every day.

Other Health Risks for Truck Drivers

Eighty-eight percent of the drivers had one or more of the three risk factors of hypertension, smoking or obesity, compared to 54% of other workers.

Nine percent of the drivers had all three factors, compared to 2% of others.

Fewer drivers, 4% compared to 7%, reported having heart disease. But twice as many, 14% compared to 7%, reported having diabetes. That may have something to do with truck drivers with diabetes having to obtain medical clearance to work, Sieber said.

Almost twice as many truck drivers, 18% compared to 10%, reported delaying or not getting health care in the previous year.

The drivers work long: 61 hours a week is the mean. Most, 78%, drive alone. Eighteen percent had not slept at home in the last month. Forty-five percent had slept 1 to 6 times at home in the month, and 37% had slept at home 7 or more days.