The number of women in trucking is increasing rapidly, and we're finally seeing industry beginning to adapt. Carriers are working to attract more female drivers through dedicated recruiting, enhanced training, and a greater focus on addressing and preventing the unique safety issues that women face on the road.
However, some elements of the job don't discern between genders. Both men and women in trucking have an elevated risk of serious health conditions that can force an early retirement - or a premature death. There are also certain health risks specific to women. The good news is that these risks can be minimized with careful planning and the adoption of small daily habits that have a big impact on overall wellness.
Life in the Cab
Driving is, by definition, a sedentary job, and eleven hours a day behind the wheel takes its toll on your body. Research has shown that lack of movement and limited exercise contribute to at least 35 health conditions, including most of the United States' top ten leading causes of death.
Many of the issues related to sedentary jobs are linked with obesity, which is common when fast food and high-salt, high-fat snacks are easier to access and often more affordable than healthy alternatives. A survey completed by Healthy Trucking of America (HTA) found that 54.2 percent of respondents reported issues with obesity, and 47.2 percent had been diagnosed with liver disorders. Another 32.8 percent also had diabetes.
Heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, circulatory problems, diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are just some of the conditions that truckers face due to lifestyle factors.
Aside from the concerns that are connected to lack of exercise and obesity, many truckers experience musculoskeletal pain - and not just from all the sitting. The vibrations of the truck that constantly shake drivers around have an impact on bones, muscles, and organs.
Back and shoulder pain are frequent complaints, and eventually, arthritis can develop. The problem worsens without quality seating that provides shock absorption and back support.
Lastly, one risk that may be less obvious but very real is the increased risk of melanoma due to high UV exposure from the sun.
Health Issues That Women specifically face
Female drivers experience all of the same aforementioned health issues as their male counterparts, and there are some additional conditions that take a particularly heavy toll on women in trucking.
Thyroid Disorders
Women are between five and eight times more likely to have thyroid disorders that contribute to obesity - a big problem in a job that is already closely associated with extra pounds.
Migraines
Women are much more likely than men to suffer from migraine headaches. According to research by the Mayo Clinic, 17 percent of women experience migraines compared to just six percent of men.
Sometimes, these debilitating headaches are triggered by hormonal changes. Other times, triggers can be smells, sounds, flashing lights, lack of sleep, stress, processed foods, and food additives like aspartame and monosodium glutamate (MSG). These are nearly impossible to avoid on the road, putting women at risk for more migraine days.
Joint Pain
Being jostled around on the road is hard on bodies, whether they are male or female, and joint pain is more common in people with obesity. On top of that, women face an escalated risk of knee pain or "jumper's knee" because their smaller stature makes it more likely that they will jump down from their cabs in a way that puts extra strain on their knees. Add that to the effects of estrogen and a skeletal structure that includes wider pelvic bones, and you have a recipe for joint-related disaster.
Breast and Cervical Cancer
Approximately 13 percent of women in the United States will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and cervical cancer used to be the most common cause of cancer deaths in women. It has now dropped to fourth place. Female truckers might not have a higher risk of breast and cervical cancer, but they do have a higher risk of their cancer advancing and moving from an early to late stage.
That's because women in trucking are far less likely to make and keep preventative care appointments that include tests like mammograms and PAP smears.
These tests are highly effective at catching breast and cervical cancers while they are still easy to treat. In fact, when cervical cancer is found early, the five-year survival rate can be as high as 92 percent. The five-year survival rate for breast cancer that hasn't spread beyond the breast is 99 percent.
When preventative care is delayed or overlooked altogether, serious disease can gain a foothold in your body, reducing the likelihood of remission. For example, if cervical cancer isn't caught until it spreads to distant areas of the body (stage four), the five-year survival rate is just 17 percent. If breast cancer spreads to distant parts of the body, the five-year survival rate is 28 percent. Fortunately, there are many things that can be done to minimize your risk of these health conditions and maximize your wellbeing.
Taking Control of Your Health
The fact that female truckers face additional health risks doesn't equal doom. We have 4 suggestions for actions you can take and habits you can develop to take control of your health.
1. Be intentional with food
Food is an important place to start. Reducing or eliminating high-fat, high-sodium, high-sugar items from the menu can transform your physique and protect you from heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, and other conditions.
From beef jerky to tuna packets to mixed nuts, get inspired with healthier options that you can be sure you've got alongside you.
2. Get creative with exercise
Exercise is the next stop on your health-related to-do list. Consider creative ways to get more steps in, add stretching to your routine, and move your body at least 30 minutes a day. Free weights are easy to store in your cab, along with other portable equipment like jump ropes and resistance bands. Here are 6 Easy Exercises for Truckers you can start doing today, and if you're able to invest a bit with a more personalized program, check out Fit Possible Trucking.
3. Invest in a high-quality seat
Prevent muscle and joint pain by considering the ergonomics of your seat. If you can, invest in a high-quality custom seat that features advanced shock absorption and appropriate support. If you can't switch out the actual seat, make sure that the height, incline, and distance from the pedals match your stature, and consider adding rolled towels or ergonomic pillows behind the small of your back and behind your neck to increase support.
4. Make three-point exits
Finally, reconsider how you get in and out of the cab. Jumping down again and again makes knee pain inevitable. Make three-point exits instead. They might be more time-consuming, but they will save you from knee pain in the long run.
Preventative Care Pays Off
Forming healthy habits ensures that you prevent ongoing damage from accumulating to the point that it causes serious health problems. However, that's not enough to keep you in tip-top shape. The fact is that there is no substitute for preventative care. Fortunately, you have more options than ever to ensure that you can get the care you need on the road.
Telehealth has seen dramatic growth in the availability and type of services provided since the start of the pandemic, and walk-in clinics aren't just for urgent care anymore. There are thousands of locations nationwide that can do basic physicals, check your vitals, and prescribe medications to control chronic conditions like high blood pressure and migraines.
The best part is that you can choose a clinic brand with locations that match the area of the country where you most commonly travel, and your records will be available no matter which clinic you visit within that network. That gives you the flexibility you need to fit basic care in, no matter what your schedule looks like or where you go.
Telehealth and walk-in clinic fees tend to be reasonable, making them a practical solution even when you don't have health insurance. If you determine that your medical needs are more than a telehealth service or walk-in clinic can handle, visit your state't health insurance information portal to explore options for coverage that fits your needs.
The bottom line is that there are already plenty of challenges facing women in trucking. Taking control of your health doesn't have to be one of them. A little planning and developing new habits can ensure you stay healthy for a long time.
Other relevant articles:
Women in Trucking: Tips and Best Practices for Work-Life Balance