Nonprofit St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund Partners with Hope 80/20 to combat nearly 5% higher diabetes rate in truck drivers versus general U.S. population
Nonprofit St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund (SCF) is teaming up with Hope 80/20 to offer commercial truck drivers in East Tennessee the opportunity to participate in a free online diabetes prevention program. The enrollment period ends Aug. 15.
According to a 2015 national survey conducted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 14-percent of commercial truck drivers reported having type 2 diabetes compared to 9.4-percent of the general U.S. population. These increased rates among commercial truck drivers, due in large part to the demands of the job, inspired the targeted prevention program, which is funded by a grant by the Trinity Foundation.
“Our goal is to assist drivers in maintaining a healthier lifestyle that will prevent diabetes,” stated SCF Executive Director Donna Kennedy, Ph.D., M.S. “We know truck drivers do not have access to face-to-face group meetings or have schedules that accommodate synchronous online applications, which is why Hope 80/20’s unique video approach will be perfect for truckers.”
Hope 80/20’s diabetes prevention program is CDC certified and approved by the National Institute of Health. The program specifically addresses the pre-diabetic population, which Hope 80/20’s website states is 33-percent of Americans. Hope 80/20 is the first in the nation to bring the CDC Diabetes Program to online video format in order to reach more people.
The video-based curriculum is designed to be viewed on a truck driver’s schedule. It includes 22 weeks of weekly webinars focusing on nutrition, physical activity, stress management, negative thoughts and more. Also included is live text support with a health coach and an app to track weight loss and activity.
SCF is looking to enroll up to 300 semi-truck drivers who live or work in the following East Tenn. counties: Knox, Anderson, Blount, Grainger, Jefferson, Loudon, Roane, Sevier and Union. Participation is anonymous and no results are shared with a third-party or employer. Participants must have a Class A – CDL.
To enroll in the program, truckers may visit TruckersFund.org/Hope8020.
To apply for other forms of assistance from SCF, click here. To donate to SCF’s mission to support truckers and their families in financial need, click here.
