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Taking the Final Exit: Exploring the Distribution, Risks, and Geospatial Attributes of Truck Driver At-Work Deaths in
Michael K Lemke1, Mackenzie McKeown2, Alexander M Crizzle2
1Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|June 16, 2026
Summary
Truck drivers face higher risks of at-work deaths, particularly natural deaths, in underserved areas. Their worksites may function as "medical deserts," highlighting a critical public health concern for this occupation.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Public Health
- Geospatial Epidemiology
Background:
- At-work deaths among truck drivers represent a significant occupational hazard.
- Understanding the distribution and risk factors is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the distribution, risks, and geospatial attributes of truck driver at-work deaths.
- To identify specific vulnerabilities and environmental factors contributing to these fatalities.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study design was employed using at-work medical examiner death data from Harris County, Texas.
- Truck driver cases (n=52) were matched to non-truck driver controls (n=156) based on age.
- Geospatial analyses incorporated medical center and American Community Survey data.
Main Results:
- Truck driver at-work deaths showed a different distribution in the manner of death compared to controls.
- These deaths occurred more frequently in underserved census tracts.
- Both the manner of death distribution and occurrence in underserved areas predicted truck driver at-work fatalities.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary evidence suggests truck drivers are vulnerable to natural deaths at work.
- Truck driver worksites may be characterized as "medical deserts," indicating limited access to timely medical care.
- These findings underscore the need for improved occupational safety and healthcare access for truck drivers.
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