What I did with my vacation....

Me. Today, 12:30. Philly town. American Publich Health Association National Convention.

See links below.

ABSTRACT


Title: Health To Go: An innovative trucker health outreach project

Presenter: Timothy J. Anderson, BS, Spokane Regional Health District

The U.S. trucking industry employs an estimated 3 million working as over-the-road (OTR) tractor trailer truck drivers. While keeping the United States and North American economies flowing, truckers consistently sustain more non-fatal occupational injuries and illnesses than any other occupation. Studies have found that truckers face an average 18-year reduction in life expectancy over other occupational groups, and are at increased risk for elevated blood pressure, obesity, musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular disease, tobacco addiction, drug and substance abuse, sexually transmitted infections (including HIV), eating disorders, ulcers, diabetes, sleep disorders, lack of fitness, and various cancers. The public safety challenge posed by truck drivers who may have any of these undiagnosed, potentially fatal conditions affects everyone with whom they share the road. These factors, when linked to communicable disease screening and surveillance, are of public health interest. To respond to this public health need in eastern Washington, the Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) conducted an innovative trucker health outreach, prevention and education pilot project, called Health To Go. In this presentation, the unique features of the Health To Go project, which was designed in collaboration with long-haul truckers and community partners, will be discussed. The results of trucker interviews conducted by SRHD to survey truckers’ working conditions, perceptions and experiences regarding the availability of health care on the road, perceived risk for HIV and willingness to participate in HIV testing, and preferred media for receiving health messages will also be presented, along with recommendations for further research and trucker health programming.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the public safety issues posed by trucker drivers with pre-morbid and morbid chronic and communicable diseases, including HIV.
2. Identify the unique challenges faced with providing health screenings, health care, and health promotion and education to this highly mobile workforce.
3. Describe some innovative on-the-road strategies for addressing and preventing chronic and communicable diseases for long-haul truckers.
4. Identify some potential areas for further research and program development for promoting trucker health.

http://apha.confex.com/apha/137am/webprogram/Session27991.html

http://apha.confex.com/apha/137am/webprogram/Paper211586.html