Life Behind the Wheel Is a Public Health Crisis
Welcome to ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST—where we simplify global studies for everyday Australians, aged 14 to 70. Today’s finding: truck drivers aren’t just at risk on the road—the job itself is cutting lives short.
👉 Full research link at the bottom to read, download, or verify.
🔍 RESEARCH PAPER DETAILS
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Original Name: Work-related and personal risk factors for occupational injury among commercial truck drivers: A systematic review
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Authors: Curtis Breslin, Clare Liddy, Alexander Macpherson, Sharon Baranik, and colleagues
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Published in: BMC Public Health (2022)
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Link to study: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12850-5
❗Why We’re Sharing This Study
Because injuries, fatigue, stress, and early death are becoming normal in the trucking industry.
And no one seems to be talking about it.
If you’re a driver, or someone in your family is — this study shows exactly what’s putting your health at risk. You need to know before it’s too late.
👇 Q&A Style Breakdown
Who Did This Research and When?
This study was published in 2022 by a group of international researchers, led by Curtis Breslin, through institutions in Canada, with contributions from Europe and the US.
Which Institute or Centre Was It From?
This was published through BMC Public Health, one of the world’s leading open-access health journals. The researchers are connected to institutions like Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Occupational Health clinics.
Why Is This Research Important?
It’s one of the most complete global reviews ever done about why truck drivers are getting injured or dying at work. It brings together results from 43 different studies.
Who Funded This Study?
The research was funded by independent public health agencies and universities, not by private companies — meaning the findings are unbiased and made for public safety.
⚠️ What Is This Study About?
It’s about injuries and deaths that happen to truck drivers — not just from road accidents, but from:
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Long working hours
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Fatigue
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Poor sleep
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Musculoskeletal pain
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Poor physical fitness
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Mental overload
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And being treated as “disposable” in the job system
Who Was Studied?
Thousands of commercial truck drivers from North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.
This wasn’t one city or one country. This is a global problem.
Which Research Method Was Used?
A systematic review of 43 different studies — which means they looked at huge amounts of real-world data across multiple countries to identify the most common, most dangerous health risks for drivers.
😱 WHAT DID THEY FIND?
Here’s what the research showed — and why it’s so serious:
1. Fatigue Is the #1 Killer
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Fatigue increases accident risk by 3x to 5x
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Most drivers don’t get enough sleep, and even when they sleep, it’s low quality
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Driving while tired is just as dangerous as driving drunk
2. Overwork and Long Hours Break Down the Body
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Working more than 12 hours a day is strongly linked with chronic injuries
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Repetitive loading, awkward postures, and bad truck seats are destroying necks, shoulders, and lower backs
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One study showed musculoskeletal disorders in over 60% of drivers
3. Mental Strain Is Hidden but Deadly
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High-pressure delivery schedules, loneliness, and isolation lead to:
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Depression
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Alcohol abuse
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Anxiety
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Poor decision making on the road
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4. Lack of Physical Fitness Raises Injury Risk
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Drivers with lower physical strength and mobility were more likely to suffer injuries
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Sitting for hours reduces blood flow, increases inflammation, and weakens the core — leading to slips, falls, and spine problems
5. Older Drivers Face Higher Injury Risk
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Age + long hours + chronic strain = higher risk of serious injury or death on the job
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But younger drivers are still suffering mental breakdowns, crashes, and early burnout
🚨 So What Does This All Mean?
If nothing changes, many truck drivers are heading toward:
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🚑 Repeated injuries
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🧠 Mental health collapse
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❌ Early disability or job loss
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⚰️ Premature death, alone, far from home
And most of these issues are not being treated or acknowledged.
💡 How Can This Help EMS Device Users?
EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) devices like Oriems Fit can help reduce stiffness, stimulate blood flow, and activate muscles even when drivers are stuck sitting for long periods.
It’s not a cure — but it’s a supportive tool in a world where movement is limited.
🛠️ Oriems Fit – For Everyday Pain Support
At Oriems Fit, a 100% Australian Award-Winning Brand, we support those who work hard, sit long, and move less than they should.
Our Wide-Range Targeted EMS Muscle Stimulator is built for:
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Muscle fatigue
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Chronic soreness
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Limited mobility
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Back and leg tension
It’s not medical treatment — but it’s trusted by thousands of Aussies to feel better, every day.
🔗 Read the Full Study
Want to read it yourself? Here’s the original research paper:
Click here to view or download the full PDF
Published in BMC Public Health, a global, peer-reviewed journal. Verified and publicly accessible.
🧠 About ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST
We turn real research from real universities into plain language anyone can understand.
You don’t need a science degree to care about your body.
We’re here to inspire curiosity and help you discover what’s going on — behind the scenes.
💬 What Do You Think?
Are you a truck driver who’s been through any of this?
Have you seen friends or family burn out or break down from the job?
Leave a comment and share your story.
We want this blog to be a space where voices are heard.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This blog is for informational and recreational purposes only.
We do not provide medical advice. Always speak to a healthcare professional for diagnosis or treatment.
