Questions about truck drivers health and how to help

Discussion in 'Driver Health' started by NPJT, Nov 7, 2022.

  1. NPJT

    NPJT Bobtail Member

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    Nov 7, 2022
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    Hey Everyone,

    My name is JT. I own a health clinic in Atlanta, GA. I recently had a patient come in desperately seeking help after failing his DOT health exam and was looking to lower his BP and lose some weight. This got me to thinking and I have since learned that there are many truck drivers and transport team members who have similar problems.

    I guess this makes sense as you guys are on the road long periods of time and rest stops and fuel stations typically have nothing but junk food.

    So my questions are:

    1.) How as a health care provider can I better serve you to help to prevent high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, neuropathy, and vision and hearing loss as these are all test points on the DOT Health Exam?

    2.) Would it be best to create an accountability program for these folks or do you believe that in your experience people want to do better, but it really does come down to the lack of healthy food options?

    3.) Do you think creating a health program dedicated to people in this industry would be beneficial and do you think people would follow it?

    4.) What if I created a weight loss program and made it to where people could do virtual follow up. Would they actually follow it?

    Thank you,

    JT
     
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  3. Munch75

    Munch75 Light Load Member

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    A very simple answer for me to you would be spend time if possible to varying parts of the industry. The wide variety of time being able to go after things like fitness, nutrition are huge. An OTR driver can on week drive multiple days 10-11 hours a day and find all the time in the world. May not have the space to prepare foods or ability to cook healthy options then on the next run spend a half day driving then sitting and wasting time not knowing when they are hitting the road due to live load/unload etc,
    Another is like my situation where I my day is 14 hours every time. I run reefer for a dedicated account. I have to get to the customer location ASAP, unload, get as far back to the distribution center as possible (if I want to make a living) which leaves absolutely little room for cooking or exercise. Every moment can be spent driving, sleep, rinse and repeat. Being that said I have personally lost 20lbs. since I started driving. Due to limited time for cooking but the diet would not be for everyone, probably not even for me.
    Accountability- personal to everyone but most of us have enough on our plates and get more than enough "feedback" thrown at us from in warranted directions.

    To be able to understand WHAT you can offer. You need to find and experience what the obstacles are and go from there. It's like I would tell my shop managers when I turned wrenches. None of which ever had mechanical experience. You can't manage something that you have no realistic idea of what all is involved. If you want to be good at managing you have to participate in what you are managing.
     
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  4. GYPSY65

    GYPSY65 Road Train Member

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    There are already tons of ways to eat better but it’s either too expensive for guys sorta like going to Whole Foods or just not convenient as In shipped to the house but you’re 2000 miles away

    If truck stops carried these sort of meals it would be better but we all know that $10 mail order healthy meal would be $20 at the truck stop

    Some on here myself included make meals at home and have a small freezer in the truck but that’s the exception
    Others are company drivers and not allowed to have a fridge much less a freezer in the truck
     
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  5. Mnmover99

    Mnmover99 Light Load Member

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    Oct 22, 2022
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    You are a little late to the party... Several groups all claim they have the answer to keep drivers healthy, but one of the best programs can be found at Prime INC, they have a resident group helping with diet etc.
     
  6. AsphaltFarmer

    AsphaltFarmer Medium Load Member

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    Can you put the ketchup in bigger packs so I ain't gotta open 3 per french fry?

    Yeah brother we're always looking for a good accountant to help out with IFTA and stuff

    Yes if you can make an industrial gps people would follow it cause rand mcnallys break way too easy

    i don't know brother, i don't think weigh stations are gonna let you just unload trucks at the weigh station so that they can get under weight, maybe you can skate by with siphoning diesel though
     
  7. CrappieJunkie

    CrappieJunkie Wishin' I was fishin'

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    1) Don't use meds if you can help it. Insulin costs us our CDL. Find a way to reverse neuropothy
     
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