Virtually manage OSA from diagnosis to treatment
What is in this blog?
- Overview of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in truckers
- Telehealth solutions for OSA in truck drivers
- Overcome OSA risk with Agile Telehealth’s little to no cost wellness offerings
The trucking lifestyle can be hard on truck drivers’ bodies, setting the stage for bad habits and chronic conditions, like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), to develop. OSA affects as many as four out of five commercial truck drivers, which is a much higher portion than in the general population.
Luckily, telehealth offers a promising solution.
Learn how fleet managers can remotely address OSA in their truck drivers by using telehealth to aid in early diagnosis, deliver effective sleep apnea treatments, and conduct ongoing prevention.
Overview of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in truckers
Truckers are much more likely to develop sleep apnea than people in other professions. A 2024 study determined that 78% of drivers in the sample suffered from OSA. With the American Academy of Sleep Medicine flagging that OSA is on the rise, the number of cases is likely to grow among truck drivers, as well.
Being overweight or a smoker–both traits that are prevalent in truckers–increase the risk for OSA, as does being over 40 and male. This means trucking employers face a particular need to proactively tackle the challenges of OSA in truck drivers head on.
Here are the most recent summary statistics for truck drivers in the United States:
| Statistic | Value |
| Total Number | 3.05 million (2024) |
| Average Age | 47 years (all drivers, 2024) |
| Gender | 8–9.5% women (2024–2025) |
Statistics drawn from Land Line Magazine (2024), Trucker Guide App (2024), ATRI report (2024), NATSO Foundation (2024–2025), and Truck Insurance NITIC (2023).
Telehealth solutions for OSA in truck drivers
Convenient screening
Getting treated for OSA begins with an accurate diagnosis. However, just getting to that point can be difficult for truck drivers who are constantly on the road and moving from one location to another.
With limited time off, drivers may not wish to use their valuable home days to see a physician. That’s where telehealth screenings come in.
By meeting with a doctor virtually, a driver can answer a series of questions to assess their OSA risk. If their answers indicate that OSA is likely, they can schedule a sleep study to confirm.
While sleep studies are traditionally done in a lab, modern sleep apnea test kits allow the testing to be done remotely. This makes it feasible for a driver to complete the diagnostics at home or even in the cab of their truck.
Accessible CPAP therapy
Once a doctor has made an OSA diagnosis, the next step is often treatment via a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.
CPAP machines keep a person’s airway from becoming blocked and causing sleep interruptions. They’re both portable and user-friendly, making them an ideal solution for drivers to use on the road.
Again, telemedicine is a useful tool here. Via video appointments done from anywhere, physicians can provide drivers with CPAP instruction and one-on-one guidance for the machines’ proper use.
Compliance support
In order for drivers with OSA to maintain their commercial licenses, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) may require proof that the condition is being treated. With a telehealth platform, drivers can easily keep a log of their doctors’ appointments and combine those records with their CPAP usage reports to demonstrate that they’re actively addressing the condition.
Remote monitoring and appointments not only aid in compliance, but can boost driver adherence. It’s easier for drivers to stick to their treatment plan when they know help is available on demand, at a convenient time, via a phone call or video conference.
Weight loss assistance
While a CPAP simply manages symptoms, weight loss can help improve or even resolve OSA symptoms caused by obesity or being overweight.
With telehealth appointments, drivers can get customized diet plans and meet with their doctor or nutritionist regularly to monitor progress. Other virtual resources like online classes and group coaching sessions can help with things like fitness and stress management, both of which contribute to successful weight loss.
Telehealth also gives truck drivers convenient access to prescriptions, like GLP-1s, that can aid in both weight loss and OSA treatment. A driver could get a prescription from a remote doctor’s appointment, have the medication shipped to them on the road, and have a video call follow-up to address any questions or concerns–all with no in-person contact required.
Reduced time off work
By reducing the need for face-to-face appointments during a typical 9-to-5 physician’s schedule, drivers can meet with providers online, from their truck. This is a win for drivers, who keep more of their PTO for personal use and avoid lost wages. It also benefits fleet operators, who minimize lost productivity and keep service interruptions to a minimum.
Overcome OSA risk with Agile Telehealth’s little to no cost wellness offerings
Keep your truckers well rested and on the road with convenient appointment scheduling and easy-to-implement sleep apnea treatments. Agile Telehealth helps companies offer virtual wellness programs to their employees at no cost to your organization with minimal setup..
With Agile Telehealth, fleet managers can give drivers on-demand, remote access to licensed physicians for urgent care, mental health services, weight loss assistance, and more. From OSA screenings to ongoing adherence support, we help fleets cover all the bases to keep sleep apnea at bay.
