The health of truck drivers is an important yet often overlooked topic, which affects not only the drivers themselves but also road safety. As one of the largest employment categories in the U.S. and other countries, truck drivers face high risks of various diseases and injuries related to their profession. Due to long hours behind the wheel, limited access to medical services, and unhealthy lifestyles, they face serious health threats. Let’s examine the main risks and arguments for why society should pay more attention to truck drivers' health.

High Disease Risks
Truck drivers are at risk of developing chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and musculoskeletal disorders. According to the study The National Survey of U.S. Long-Haul Truck Driver Health and Injury, more than 70% of long-haul truck drivers suffer from obesity, which increases the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes (Health Risks of American Long Distance Truckers, 2017). This is also linked to a sedentary lifestyle, as drivers spend most of their time sitting behind the wheel.

The study Multiple Conditions Increase Preventable Crash Risks among Truck Drivers also confirms that the presence of multiple chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension, increases the risk of road accidents. Drivers with three or more chronic diseases are two and a half times more likely to be involved in an accident, endangering their lives and the lives of other road users (Thiese et al., 2017).

Sleep Problems and Fatigue
Additionally, sleep quality and fatigue are major concerns for truck drivers. The study Health Risks of American Long Distance Truckers showed that many drivers suffer from insomnia, sleep deprivation, and fatigue, which are directly linked to a high risk of accidents. Driver fatigue affects attention and reaction time, making them more vulnerable on the road.

It is also important to note that drivers often cannot get adequate sleep due to limited rest time and night trips, leading to reduced physical and mental performance. Recommendations to improve sleep quality include mandatory breaks and the use of sleep monitoring technologies, which could reduce accidents and enhance road safety.

Limited Access to Medical Care
Another critical issue is truck drivers' limited access to medical care. Drivers often work in remote areas and cannot visit doctors regularly. According to The National Survey of U.S. Long-Haul Truck Driver Health and Injury, more than 40% of drivers do not receive regular medical care and do not utilize available disease prevention programs, which leads to a deterioration of their health (Health Risks of American Long Distance Truckers, 2017).

Research also shows that lack of access to medical services, time constraints, and financial difficulties often prevent drivers from addressing their medical issues. This necessitates the creation of convenient and accessible health monitoring methods for drivers, such as smartphone apps and smartwatches.

The Need for Solutions to Improve Driver Health
Given the high risks associated with the trucking profession, there is a need to implement new technologies and systems to monitor driver health. A smartwatch app that tracks physical activity, sleep quality, and other vital parameters could address many of these issues. It could remind drivers to take breaks, monitor their physical condition, and prompt them to visit a doctor for regular check-ups.

Additionally, educational programs and advice on healthy eating and exercise could significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Teaching drivers a healthy lifestyle and providing them with practical tools to implement these recommendations is a vital step toward improving their health and reducing accidents on the road.

Conclusion
The health of truck drivers requires attention not only from employers but also through the development of public and corporate initiatives aimed at improving their health. Given the high risks of diseases related to a sedentary lifestyle, fatigue, sleep problems, and limited access to medical services, new approaches to health monitoring and support for drivers are essential. Implementing modern technologies such as smartwatch apps and educational programs could significantly improve the quality of life for drivers and increase road safety.