Health issues among female truck drivers in the United States

Traditionally, the U.S. trucking industry has been dominated by white, straight-identified men. As a result, trucking is an industry that places a cultural premium on masculinity and the particular needs and characteristics of male truckers. However, in the last few years, the trucker population has become more diverse as trucking companies have broadened their recruiting efforts to make up for a projected driver shortage in the coming years, with recruitment now focusing on people of color, females, and members of the GLBT community. This presentation will provide a discussion of the health issues of female truckers, who currently represent 5% of the trucking industry, and the health-related challenges faced by these women employed in a work environment designed for and dominated by men. The findings from a recent study involving personal interviews with female long-haul truck drivers throughout the U.S. will be presented, along with recommendations for creating a more positive environment for promoting the health of these drivers.