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  • Writer's pictureTanya Jolliffe, RDN, LD

How Healthy Is Your Team?

Updated: Aug 1, 2019

Consider these statistics:

  • About one out of three U.S. adults have high blood pressure. Only about half (54%) of these people have it under control.

  • High blood pressure is called the “silent killer.

  • A passing DOT medical card blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg is considered stage 2 hypertension according to the American Heart Association.

  • Blood pressure is one of the leading reasons a driver will get a shorter length medical card.

  • About one out of three U.S. adults have pre-diabetes. Nine out of ten don’t know they have it.

  • Risk of death is 50% higher for those with diabetes.

  • Medical costs for people with diabetes are more than twice as high as for people without diabetes.

  • Losing weight by eating healthy and being more active can cut the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in half.

  • Most medical episodes while driving are related to heart attack, stroke, and fainting.

  • Metabolic syndrome refers to a cluster of risk factors. A person is diagnosed with metabolic syndrome when any three of these risk factors are present: high blood glucose (sugar), low levels of good cholesterol (HDL), large waist circumference, high blood pressure. Risk factors raise the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke as well as other health problems. All of these risk factors can be controlled with a healthy lifestyle.


Increased Risk


Is your transportation team at risk of a medical emergency related to their health? Is that risk also increasing safety concerns? A 2014 survey from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) confirmed that transportation drivers are more likely to smoke, be overweight, and maintain sedentary habits, with 25% unable to acquire routine health screenings. The study also confirmed that work requirements create a notable hurdle to certain healthy behaviors.


Transportation wellness programs provide a sustainable way to help drivers maintain or improve their health, which in turn increases their job effectiveness. These wellness programs are most effective when the drivers' unique work environment is taken into consideration. When programs are implemented in an informed fashion, transportation workers at all levels can improve their health. Companies that take a proactive approach to the health and well-being of their team will see a return on investment through lowered insurance costs, increased work productivity, and improved road safety.


Invest in your team today!

Better Health for Better Safety

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