Uninsured at greater risk of early death

“Lack of health insurance is not simply a matter of mounting bills or deferred care,” said Peter Lurie, deputy director of the Health Research Group at Public Citizen. “It is potentially a matter of life and death. The study makes a compelling case for providing health insurance coverage to all.”

By BARB KAMPBELL
The Trucker Staff

11/10/2009

Many truck drivers go without health insurance and also fit into a group that is often unable to schedule and pay for regular preventative health physician visits.

According to a study released in the American Journal of Public Health called, “Care Without Coverage. Too Little, Too Late,” the Institute of Medicine estimated 18,000 in 2001 associated with lack of health insurance among Americans 18 to 64. This information was based on an earlier study showing that the uninsured were 25 percent more likely to die than those with insurance.

However, the new study found that the uninsured are actually 40 percent more likely to die than the insured. The authors adjusted for a variety of differences between the uninsured and insured such as age, gender, smoking, drinking, obesity and exercise.

According to the Kaiser Commission the uninsured suffer from negative health consequences due to their lack of access to necessary medical care. About one-quarter of uninsured adults go without needed care each year due to cost. Studies repeatedly demonstrate that the uninsured are less likely than those with insurance to receive preventative care and services for major health conditions, including traumatic injuries, heart attacks, and chronic diseases, and many suffer serious consequences.

The Kaiser Commission also stated that adults who have been uninsured for more than one year are three to four times more likely to have not received recommended breast cancer screenings or to have had their blood pressure checked.

So what should a hard-working truck driver do if he or she is not insured?

First of all: take care of yourself. The best way to save on medical expenses is not to incur them. And the best way to stay out of the doctor's office is to stay healthy. Depending on the circumstances, this may require certain lifestyle changes on your part. You may need t

• Quit smoking

• Improve your diet

• Lose weight

• Exercise more, and

• Cut back on alcohol consumption

In the end, getting fit is really the key to keeping costs down. And the good news is that even modest changes can have significant benefits. Think of getting healthy as a life-long effort, something you get better at in time. That way, the changes you make will gradually become permanent, which means the benefits will too.

In addition, look for and take advantage of health screenings when offered. These occur in your hometown as well as at various truck stops around the country from time to time.

Call your local health department to get a schedule of health screenings and immunizations in your area, including free flu shots.

Rather than throwing in the towel because you don’t have insurance, do what you can to make the best of a bad situation. Your health is in your hands.

Barb Kampbell of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at barbkampbell@thetrucker.com.

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