The truck driving industry is vital to our economy. It is a critical link in our supply chain operating as a lifeline between manufacturers and consumers. According to Business Insider, the US trucking industry has generated over $700 billion in annual revenue since 2017. With over 3.5 million drivers in the US, driving long-haul and delivery trucks is one of the nation's largest occupations. According to the Federal Highway Administration, long-distance drivers can log upwards of 100,000 miles per year. The combined challenges of life on the road— long hours driving with inconsistent sleep schedules, lack of physical activity, and poor nutrition— have taken a toll on today's' truck drivers and put their health at risk.

The current Coronavirus pandemic has put additional stress on an already stressful occupation. The truck stops and public areas that provide restaurants, rest areas, and room to stretch have been working with state and local governments to stay open. Indoor dining has been replaced with grab-and-go food, and the number of healthy food options remains limited. Truckers also need to practice good hygiene and have a constant need for cleaning products for their vehicles and hand sanitizers, which have been in short supply for all consumers. When deliveries are made, drivers need to practice safe social distancing, and bills of lading have gone electronic in many instances. While we are all adapting to a shift in our day-to-day living because of COVID-19, never has the essential role of truck drivers been more apparent.

According to a survey conducted by the CDC and NIOSH, long-haul truck drivers are more likely to smoke and be overweight than other workers. Smoking has known links to a variety of cancers, heart disease, and stroke. Being overweight is the most common cause of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, a condition that, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, affects approximately 28% of truck drivers. Sleep apnea is especially dangerous when coupled with the requirements of long-distance driving. Sleep apnea prevents deep, restful sleep due to frequent interruptions in the sleep cycle. It leads to fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness, memory loss, headaches, and a slowing in the body's reaction time.

While the Department of Transportation does not require a physical to specifically diagnose sleep apnea, it does require a general physical examination to receive and maintain a CDL and DOT medical card. If you have been screened at-risk for sleep apnea, it is critical to align yourself with a sleep health solution that understands the challenges and difficulties you face on the road. Your livelihood depends on you being healthy and safe while driving. BetterNight has a solution that makes screening, diagnosing, and treating your sleep apnea convenient, fast, and affordable. The first step is a 10-15 minute video consult with a physician who can better assess your need for a sleep apnea test, the gold standard in diagnosing sleep apnea. The consult can be done with any mobile device and eliminates the need for office visits or referrals to specialists. BetterNight then ships a sleep apnea testing device to a location that is convenient for you. You simply wear it for one night and return it, free of charge.

If you test positive for sleep apnea, BetterNight will ship you a therapy device that will help get you back on the road. And BetterNight will be with you every step of the way, providing counseling and support and all the necessary reporting for your physician. We have industry-leading compliance rates and over 25 years managing sleep health conditions, including treatment of those in transportation and other high-risk occupations. In addition to providing testing and treatment that is flexible and convenient, we make taking care of your sleep health affordable. We accept many insurance plans and offer financing, along with discounts explicitly designed for drivers. Truck drivers have met the challenges needed to keep America running, and we are here for you as partners in your sleep health journey. At BetterNight, we want every truck driver to live a healthy and productive life, both on and off the road.