The average age of truck drivers is in their mid-40s, making them vulnerable to health problems,
and cancer is more common among truck drivers,
with the International Agency for Research on Cancer listing diesel as a Class 1 carcinogen.
One study on occupational health disparities compared long-haul truckers to a health sample from other occupations and found significant differences.
Resources on long-haul truck driver health
Long-haul truckers were found to have higher-than-average rates of metabolic and cardiovascular disease,
as well as higher rates of hypertension and obesity. Add to that the fact that truckers have lower rates of health insurance,
and the health disparity with other occupations is even greater.
Increased competition among truck drivers
As truck prices have fallen and volumes have dropped, competition among truckers to grab a share of the increased freight has intensified.
Volumes are now at levels similar to those seen in 2019 at the height of the recession,
and many truckers are leaving the market in debt. However, experts expect a shortage of truckers to return and rates to rise again.