Healthy trucker movement an important development in an important industry

I can't let this week get away without thanking the Trucking Solutions Group Driver Health Council and the Healthy Trucking Association of America for organizing the 61+ Health Awareness Walk at last weekend's 2010 Great American Trucking Show in Dallas.

The walk in Dallas was 1.5 miles and was conducted indoors, away from the heat of the Texas sun. As you can see from the pictures, the turnout was impressive.

These drivers weren't just walking; they even hit the steps! (courtesy Trucking Solutions Group)

According to the Center for Disease Control, the average life expectancy for a commercial truck driver is 61 years. That is 16 years lower than the national average, and I think you'll agree that gap is startling.

The critical job of moving the goods we need across America is no easy task. For many truckers, their schedules leave very little time to do more than deliver their loads. Carving out time for exercise and proper nutrition must seem like an impossible challenge.

Former driver Gypsy Kolb completed the 1.5 mile route in her wheelchair to support her husband,
a driver working hard to get back to a healthier lifestyle. (Courtesy the Trucking Solutions Group)

So, I'm very glad that the HTAA has been putting together, with sponsors like Driver Health, a series of walks like the one in Dallas last Sunday built around the "61+" theme of extending trucker life expectancy. From the first walk at the Mid-America Truck Show in Louisville last March to the second one at the Great West Truck Show in Las Vegas last June to the most recent walk in Dallas, the goal has remained the same: to make personal health and fitness a bigger concern for all truckers.

As Linda Caffee, a driver and chair of the Trucking Solutions Group Health Council, said:

“This is a plea from driver to driver to get outside of your truck and work towards a healthier lifestyle. We’re all in this together. This walk provides everyone with the opportunity to receive support from your fellow drivers and get on the road to better health.”

According to Lily Williams, also of the Trucking Solutions Group, the next step is to get more trucking companies and other trucking organizations to join the cause. In a country that needs its truckers, that sounds like a good idea to me.

Comments

[Michael E. Bailey]

Schedules are so tight in the trucking industry that there is not time to take an hour off and go to the gym and congestion makes the scheduling issue even a more important factor. It is necessary to find easy ways that can be included as part of working the truck if possible, to get the exersize people need to stay healthy. Too many get too little exersize and are overweight. That is bad for general health.
Also, the question of driver health must include alternative fuels to diesel. A major environmental and public health problem is microscopic diesel particulates in the engine exhaust that increases the risk of heart trouble and different kinds of cancers the longer period of time a person is exposed to PM. Truck drivers are exposed to PM more than most. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[jeff clark]

Thanks. For our group to be recognized by the Secretary of Transportation is a great honor. We deeply appreciate it. The events that we put on are meant to be fun and they are. Thanks to eveyone who participated in anyway.

[Dallas Texas]

I for one was glad that we were indoors! It was HOT! I joined the walk in memory of a very dear friend who was a driver. He passed away last year due to a heart attack that his doctor said was brought on by not enough exercise. I hope more drivers will take heed and make a point to get more exercise.

[Dave Sharp]

"According to the Center for Disease Control, the average life expectancy for a commercial truck driver is 61 years."

Did the CDC say this in a report? I've been looking around for such a report and couldn't find anything. Any insights would be most appreciated!

[John]

Thanks for sharing this article. I am a Massage Therapist and I have believed in the importance of physical activity. I now have some research to back my rationale to implement at least 20 minutes per day of aerobic activity. I am going to search for some supplemental to jogging, jump ropes and kids aerobic dance dvd's so that I advise my clients to try incorporating exercise as a lifelong habit! I love the ideas of using stationary bikes, dance dance revolution type games etc. Thanks so much for your blog.