Telehealth Solution Keeps Commercial Truck Drivers on the Road

During National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (Sept. 10-16) it is important to recognize the trucking industry's critical role in our economy. According to the American Trucking Association, shipping freight revenue exceeded $940 billion dollars in 2022. With over 3 million commercial truck drivers on the road in the United States, driving a commercial truck is one of our nation’s largest occupations. We depend on these drivers to put food on our tables and gas in our cars, but the demands of the long-haul industry have serious health and safety consequences.  

Prevalence of Chronic Health Issues 

Life on the road, with its seemingly endless hours of driving, can be mentally and physically grueling. A survey done by The National Institute for Safety and Occupational Health (NIOSH) found long-distance drivers were more likely to smoke, be overweight and be less physically active in comparison to other US workers. It’s not surprising considering that the average driver logs between 2,000 and 3,000 miles a week, or about 100,000 miles per year, most of this time spent sitting. Lack of healthy food options on the road in addition to the sedentary nature of the job have led to the prevalence of obesity among long-haulers.

Obesity increases the risk of other chronic health conditions, from heart disease and hypertension to diabetes and sleep apnea. Unlike other co-morbidities associated with obesity, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) affects both the health and safety of long-haul drivers. It can put other drivers and their passengers at risk if left unchecked. 

Sleep Apnea’s Effects Felt Night and Day 

Sleep apnea is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by frequent interruptions in breathing during sleep. While it is often associated with snoring, OSA's most serious signs and symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness and “brain fog” or an inability to focus. Continued sleep deprivation is of particular concern in safety-sensitive occupations like long-haul driving.  

A University of Minnesota study on sleep deprivation and commercial truck drivers found that a continued lack of sleep takes a toll on cognitive functions such as short and long-term memory, the ability to focus, and reaction speed. While the amount of sleep is an essential factor, perhaps even more critical is the overall sleep quality. The study reported a 5-fold increase in the risk of serious, preventable crashes in those drivers who did not follow their sleep apnea treatment plans compared to those who did.  

The National Transportation Safety Board estimates cognitive functions are reduced by 20 to 50 percent when you don’t get adequate, quality sleep.   

Personal Health and Public Safety 

If you consider that an empty tractor-trailer weighs about 30,000 pounds empty and up to 80,000 pounds carrying cargo, the ability to safely drive these powerful vehicles on our roads and freeways is of the utmost importance. Drivers need to be well-rested, stay sharply focused on their driving and have the ability to react quickly should any threats arise. Considering that up to 49% of commercial vehicle drivers are at risk for sleep apnea, according to a recent article in Transport Topics, the need to screen, diagnose and treat those with this chronic health condition is a matter of public safety and personal health. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) does not have regulations requiring sleep apnea testing. Many in the industry feel it is critical to screen and test new drivers since trucking companies can be held liable if a commercial vehicle driver accident is attributed to driver fatigue. 

Commercial Driver Licensing Dependent on Health Screening 

Commercial drivers must get a DOT (Department of Transportation) physical to apply for their commercial driver’s license. During the process, a health questionnaire is filled out and reviewed by a medical examiner. While every state has its own medical standards for driving a commercial vehicle in-state, generally, any diagnosed medical condition that interferes with a driver’s ability to drive safely would prevent medical qualification. With their livelihood on the line, many drivers don’t fully acknowledge any medical symptoms they may be experiencing to avoid the risk of being denied their license. For those who recognize they may have sleep apnea and commit to testing, there is the additional stress and complications of a broken sleep care system. 

Telemedicine Fits the Long-Haul Lifestyle 

Treating any chronic medical issue can be challenging when you are on the road for a living and home only every 4-6 weeks. The process of screening, diagnosing and treating sleep apnea involves visits to multiple isolated specialists and labs who work without a coordinated, comprehensive care plan. Traversing these silos of care is time-consuming, costly, and ultimately not a fit with the long-distance driver’s lifestyle. BetterNight has a solution that makes treating sleep apnea convenient, fast and affordable for commercial drivers.  

As a telehealth solution, BetterNight provides its full treatment program from any mobile device and eliminates the need for office visits or referrals to specialists. After an initial consult with a sleep medicine physician, BetterNight ships a sleep apnea testing device to a convenient location for drivers. After wearing the device for one night, it is returned free of charge. If the test is positive for sleep apnea, BetterNight ships a therapy device that will help get drivers back on the road.  

CPAP Gets Drivers Back on the Road  

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy (CPAP) is the gold standard in sleep apnea therapy and one that many drivers with OSA use to improve their sleep. CPAP provides a continuous flow of pressurized air delivered through a mask that fits over the nose and mouth. This constant flow prevents the airway from collapsing and helps normalize breathing, improving sleep quality. BetterNight works directly with durable equipment companies to provide the best CPAP machines and provides counseling and continuous follow-up with drivers and their physicians to provide a comprehensive continuum of care.  

We understand the vital role that long-distance drivers play in our economy and the challenges they face on the road. By providing a comprehensive sleep care solution, BetterNight ensures better long-term patient outcomes for the health and safety of America’s commercial drivers.