New Driving Health Study probe shows driver rates outstripping national average
The sixth report of the Driving Health Study series has shone a light on dire physical state of Australian truck-drivers.
The series is led by Monash University, backed by the Transport Workers Union (TWU), Linfox and the Centre for Work Health and Safety and has the support of Comcare the ‘Survey of the physical and mental health of Australian professional drivers’ report underlines a litany of concerns for driver well-being.
“Truck drivers are more likely to be overweight, report poor general health and be diagnosed with multiple chronic health conditions compared to the rest of the population,” it concludes.
“The profile of mental health is poorer for drivers under 35, but better for drivers over 45 when compared to rest of the population.
“Having multiple chronic health conditions was a strong and consistent predictor of health, work performance and self-reported work ability.
“Drivers work long hours, putting them at further risk of poor mental and physical health.
“The health challenges are similar across work and employment types for drivers, with the exception of short-haul drivers being at greater risk of high levels of psychological distress.”
Read an earlier related study on physical and mental injury, here
The researchers are careful to point out that, as a cross-sectional survey the results “should not be used as a basis for establishing causal relationships, but rather should be used to highlight areas for further investigation”.
But they do highlight harmful outcomes far beyond national averages.
This includes:
- More than half (54.3 per cent) of the drivers are categorised as obese, compared to the national average of 32.5 per cent
- More than a third of drivers reported receiving a diagnosis of back problems (34.5 per cent) and high blood pressure (25.8 per cent)
- Mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, are also common with 19.4 per cent reporting a diagnosis in the last year
- Almost a third of the drivers completing the survey (29.5 per cent) reported being diagnosed with more than two of the health conditions listed, compared to 7.8 per cent of the general population.