Gender Differences in the Long-Haul Trucking Industry Related to Worker Health Perception - A Pilot Study
Public Deposited- Last Modified
- April 6, 2020
- Creator
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Layne, Diane M.
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Public Health Leadership and Practice
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Layne, Diane M.
- Abstract
- Over 3 million long-haul truck drivers transport goods across the United States and truck driving is listed as the nation's third largest growth occupation (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2004). Over 360,000 women now make up a part of this traditionally male dominated profession, and the number of women employed in the trucking industry is growing daily (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2004). Long-haul truck drivers who are gone from home at least one overnight each week makes up a unique subset of this occupation. Long-haul trucking has been found to be associated with a number of medical problems including musculoskeletal disease, sleep disorders, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, obesity and gastrointestinal disease, substance abuse and alcoholism, various types of cancer and reproductive issues (Solomon, Doucette, Garland, McGinn, 2004). These health risks are often attributed to lifestyle, work environment including unpredictable work hours and geographical locale, along with lack of health insurance, and occupational exposures (Solomon et al., 2004). Increased health risks and transience are, therefore, characteristics long-distance truck drivers share with other vulnerable populations (Solomon et al., 2004). As the long-haul trucking workforce continues to grow, and as the number of women truckers increases, so too will the incidence of these health care problems. Limited information was found in the literature about how this at-risk and growing population utilizes the healthcare system in this country, and more specifically how this population of workers attempts to take care of their chronic, acute or preventable health problems (Solomon et al., 2004). As the truckers' workplace is the community, the health of this population is of special interest. This descriptive pilot study of 25 male and 25 female truck drivers was conducted to identify health conditions and limited health care access of male and female long-haul truck drivers to ascertain if gender differences do exist in this population. Data indicate that 54% of males and 66% of females had a usual place of health care with only 21% of males and 35% of females, respectively, reporting no health insurance coverage. Both male and female drivers reported common health problems like back pain, sinus problems, hypertension, headaches, and arthritis. Drivers of both genders often waited until returning home to seek treatment for health problems while working, and about half expressed dissatisfaction with health care while on the road. Occupational and environmental health nurses are in positions to address the special needs of drivers through websites, trucker health clinics, or occupational magazines and newsletters.
- Date of publication
- May 2007
- DOI
- Resource type
- Rights statement
- In Copyright
- Note
- Paper type: Research or research design
- Track: OHN
- Advisor
- Rogers, Bonnie
- Reviewer
- Randolph, Susan
- Degree
- Master of Public Health
- Degree granting institution
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Graduation year
- 2007
- Language
- Deposit record
- 564d1737-ca9b-4211-9c3e-c1926665c3df
- Date uploaded
- March 17, 2015
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