Each February, the St. Christopher Fund observes American Heart Month as a time dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular health and encouraging healthy habits. For over-the-road semi-truck drivers, this month serves as a reminder to prioritize heart health while balancing the unique challenges of life on the road. Long hours behind the wheel, limited access to healthy food, stress, and lack of regular exercise put truckers at a 20% higher risk for heart disease compared to the general population. Additionally, these dedicated drivers are more likely to experience high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity – all of which increase the risk of heart disease. While the individual impact is significant, the cumulative effect on a company and the industry as a whole is staggering, resulting in increased downtime and absenteeism, higher rates of turnover, higher insurance costs, and overall compromised safety.
While the occupational challenges and the economic impact may seem overwhelming, the good news is that small, sustainable changes can make a significant difference in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases, helping to reduce the impact on companies. American Heart Month is an opportunity to share resources with your drivers and encourage them to recommit to a healthier lifestyle. To help with this conversation, the St. Christopher Fund offers an assortment of health and wellness programs free to Class A OTR drivers to help provide your team with the support they need to keep their heart health a priority.
Healthy Habits for the Long Haul is a 12-week virtual course that focuses on a variety of topics important to driver health and reducing health risks such as physical activity, stress management, sleep, hydration, and nutrition. During this course, drivers will gain confidence in reading nutrition labels, learn how to make healthy food swaps to support their health goals, and receive an assortment of resources to support habit changes during their time in class and beyond. Additionally, each participant will receive an assortment of tools to help track progress such as a blood pressure cuff, an activity tracker, and a glucose monitor.
The SCF also offers a tobacco and nicotine cessation program for Class A OTR drivers, Rigs without Cigs (RwC). RwC begins with a consultation to discuss current habits and challenges. During this time, drivers can choose from an assortment of cessation options including nicotine patches, medication options, and more. The key, however, is the ongoing support from a certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist. Drivers are encouraged to participate for a full year after their quit date to ensure long-term success, and many say that the support and accountability they receive through the Rigs without Cigs program is a key to their success.
Employers can sign up to become an SCF Employer Partner or to learn more about the programs through our website at truckersfund.org/employer or by reaching out to Health & Wellness Manager, Lindsey Bryan at health@truckersfund.org.
American Heart Month serves as a great opportunity to encourage drivers to take proactive steps toward better health, especially for those whose work schedules and lifestyle make it challenging to prioritize wellness. By incorporating small changes like regular physical activity, healthier eating, and stress management into your daily routine, drivers can significantly reduce their risk of heart disease and lead a longer, healthier life.