Jennifer E Lincoln1, Jan Birdsey2, W Karl Sieber2, Guang-X Chen1, Edward M Hitchcock3, Akinori Nakata4, Cynthia F Robinson2. 1. 1 Division of Safety Research, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA. 2. 2 Divisions of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA. 3. 3 Division of Applied Research and Technology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA. 4. 4 Department of Occupational and Community Health Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Fukuoka, Japan.
Abstract
PURPOSE: There is a growing body of evidence that the built environment influences diet and exercise and, as a consequence, community health status. Since long-haul truck drivers spend long periods of time at truck stops, it is important to know if this built environment includes resources that contribute to the emotional and physical well-being of drivers. SETTING: The truck stop environment was defined as the truck stop itself, grocery stores, and medical clinics near the truck stop that could be accessed by a large truck or safely on foot. DESIGN: Researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed and utilized a checklist to record the availability of resources for personal hygiene and comfort, communication and mental stimulation, health care, safety, physical activity, and nutrition at truck stops. SUBJECTS: The NIOSH checklist was used to collect data at a convenience sample of 16 truck stops throughout the United States along both high-flow and low-flow truck traffic routes. MEASURES: The checklist was completed by observation within and around the truck stops. RESULTS: No truck stops offered exercise facilities, 94% lacked access to health care, 81% lacked a walking path, 50% lacked fresh fruit, and 37% lacked fresh vegetables in their restaurant or convenience store. CONCLUSION: The NIOSH found that most truck stops did not provide an overall healthy living environment.
PURPOSE: There is a growing body of evidence that the built environment influences diet and exercise and, as a consequence, community health status. Since long-haul truck drivers spend long periods of time at truck stops, it is important to know if this built environment includes resources that contribute to the emotional and physical well-being of drivers. SETTING: The truck stop environment was defined as the truck stop itself, grocery stores, and medical clinics near the truck stop that could be accessed by a large truck or safely on foot. DESIGN: Researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed and utilized a checklist to record the availability of resources for personal hygiene and comfort, communication and mental stimulation, health care, safety, physical activity, and nutrition at truck stops. SUBJECTS: The NIOSH checklist was used to collect data at a convenience sample of 16 truck stops throughout the United States along both high-flow and low-flow truck traffic routes. MEASURES: The checklist was completed by observation within and around the truck stops. RESULTS: No truck stops offered exercise facilities, 94% lacked access to health care, 81% lacked a walking path, 50% lacked fresh fruit, and 37% lacked fresh vegetables in their restaurant or convenience store. CONCLUSION: The NIOSH found that most truck stops did not provide an overall healthy living environment.
Authors: Mia A Papas; Anthony J Alberg; Reid Ewing; Kathy J Helzlsouer; Tiffany L Gary; Ann C Klassen Journal: Epidemiol Rev Date: 2007-05-28 Impact factor: 6.222
Authors: W Karl Sieber; Cynthia F Robinson; Jan Birdsey; Guang X Chen; Edward M Hitchcock; Jennifer E Lincoln; Akinori Nakata; Marie H Sweeney Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2014-01-04 Impact factor: 2.214