Question
The National Institutes of Health Grants $1.1 million to Emory University's Medical School to Study the Sexual Health of Long-Haul Truckers
(RESEARCHERS SEEKING STUDY PARTICIPANTS)
Atlanta, GA - Long-haul trucking is not only the backbone of the U.S. economy but also a highly stressful occupation. While the occupational stressors of trucking have serious effects on drivers' health, the mobile nature of the trucking profession magnifies the potential risks of disease spread to a wide array of individuals across the country. Although scientific research has only scratched the surface of issues of sexuality, substance use, and health risks of truckers, recent small scale studies dramatically underscore the need for social and health scientists to improve their understanding of those risk factors that are present in a variety of trucking contexts in order to develop effective prevention programs that will educate truckers and the populations they interact with along the nation's interstates.
In 2001, researchers from Arizona State University conducted two pilot studies on trucker health issues in Arizona and Oklahoma. Preliminary results indicate that truckers' social relationships (or networks) include a variety of populations. The male trucker-as the nucleus of these networks (and the primary focus of the study)-is often "surrounded" by trucking company and truckstop employees, transient workers who polish the chrome details of trucks (polishers), workers who un/load cargo (lumpers), migrant and seasonal laborers, homeless individuals who hustle for a living at truckstops, hitchhikers, female sex workers (lot lizards), drug suppliers, and men who have sex with men (truckchasers or good buddies). These populations, among others, offer unique insights into the ways truckers' social and risk networks operate and how they might impact the transmission of disease.
Based on these results, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) granted the researchers $1.1 million to conduct a large scale study-the first of its kind in the U.S.-to examine the sexual and drug networks of truckers and their potential role in the acquisition and dissemination of various sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. The 4-year research study (Truckers and Community Health Project) has since been moved to Atlanta where it is presently being run out of Emory University's School of Medicine. The ultimate goal of the research is to educate truckers and the multitude of individuals they come into contact with about the personal and public-health risks of substance use and unsafe sexual practices. It is anticipated that the development and dissemination of effective interventions will provide a much needed service to the community of truckers.
In early summer 2003, a series of focus groups was completed in Atlanta with truckers, lot lizards, drug suppliers, polishers, lumpers, and truckstop employees. Before initiating close to 100 in-depth interviews this fall, researchers are preparing to conduct three additional focus groups with truckchasers, gay/bisexual truckers, and non-gay identified truckers who occasionally have sex with men, in order to develop a more complete picture of truckers' social and risk networks. The computer-mediated focus groups will be conducted in a highly confidential environment using an Internet chatroom in which only chatroom handles will be used as identifiers. Truckers will be able to participate from the privacy of their own computers and will remain anonymous via their chatroom handles. Participation will be completely voluntary and participants will be offered $30 incentives redeemable at www.Amazon.com. All information shared in the 1.5 hour discussion will be used strictly for research purposes. Additionally, a certificate of confidentiality has been issued by the NIH to the research team to further protect the identity and confidentiality of all research participants and assure them the utmost privacy.
This study is highly relevant to long-haul truckers, not only for their personal wellbeing but also that of their families and those individuals they interact with on the road. Truckers who participate in this study and who share their viewpoints and experiences in an open and honest manner will be doing their community an invaluable service. Long-haul truckers who are interested in participating in these online focus groups are strongly encouraged to visit the study's web site (http://fpm.emory.edu/prev_med/truckers/research.htm) to indicate their interest and sign up for the scheduled focus groups.
For further information, please contact:
Sevil Sonmez, Ph.D., Project Director
Truckers and Community Health Project
Mobility and Population Health Office
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine
Emory University School of Medicine
69 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, S.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3219
Tel: 404-616-3617, Fax: 404-616-6847, Email: truckerstudy@emory.edu
http://fpm.emory.edu/prev_med/truckers/
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I guess this means no more cab encounters for some drivers --> --> you know...where the lot lizzard encounters a driver in the cab, well....in the sleeper.
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On a much related note:
May I ask how many of you have daughters that you had biologically? And how many sons, if any, do you have biologically?
I ask because sitting for long periods of time supposedly causes a little less sperm to be produced which increases the chance of having a girl vs. more sperm to be produced which increases the chances of having a boy. I wanted to see if that theory was true or not.
...or something like that. I'ts one thirty in the morning----Good night!
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On a much related note:
May I ask how many of you have daughters that you had biologically? And how many sons, if any, do you have biologically?
I ask because sitting for long periods of time supposedly causes a little less sperm to be produced which increases the chance of having a girl vs. more sperm to be produced which increases the chances of having a boy. I wanted to see if that theory was true or not.
...or something like that. I'ts one thirty A.M.----Good night!
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1.1 mil isn't a lot of money. I imagine that's barely enough cash to study why only a few of us, when doing an excellent job, can get co-phased antennas to touch.
I don't have a gambling problem, just bad luck
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great scam. I wish I'd thought of it.
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Look at the web sight.
Criminal use of taxpayer money.
Just a small reminder to National Institutes of Health:
There are millions of children in this country who have no access to decent medical care.
There are pregnant women who have no access to decent prenatal care.
WAKE UP, PEOPLE!
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These people are probably working on their Ph.D's, which require doing original studies. Their mentor will publish a book based on their theses, that most likely ends up in the university library, where there is a section for doctoral theses; publishing is a requirement for a doctorate, and also professors have to publish to maintain their chairs at many schools. Most likely the study will never be heard from again, unless some trucking rag needs filler between the ads.
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The ultimate goal of this national study is to help meet the sexual health needs of truckers and their partners. In an era of increased risk for sexually transmitted diseases (such as syphilis and HIV/AIDS), it is more critical than ever to understand the context for transmission—particularly among mobile populations. The purpose of our research is to study sexual behaviors among truckers and their partners in order to develop effective information on safer sex practices.
There are 100’s of thousands of truck drivers in this country who know what the plumbing is, where it should fit, where it doesn’t belong, and what a normal sex life is! Yet, because a few perverts who don’t belong in this industry in the first place, are going about the country looking like a porcupine in heat. Some kids who need to add a sex study to receive their degree are going to help them have safe perverted sex!
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Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson
Dedicated to solving high crimes and misdemeanors in the trucking industry.
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1.1 million bucks to do a study like this? Hmmm. How does one get on the staff at Emery Medical School? --> --> --> -->
"A check is in the mail"
"Trust Me, I'm from the Government and am here to help you"
“We get trucks that big in here all the time."
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I ask because sitting for long periods of time supposedly causes a little less sperm to be produced which increases the chance of having a girl vs. more sperm to be produced which increases the chances of having a boy. I wanted to see if that theory was true or not.
I aint got any kids yet but my girlfriend says she has to chew before swallering so I think my count is OK.
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I'm wondering if they shouldn't tie a study like this to the way driver does their job. This is the ultimate self control issue and seems that it might give an insight into a person's mind. That someone desperate and hopless enough to take part in this type of behavior might have safety and ability issues on the job? Just wondering.
Everyone wants to try to regulate safety but we all know it comes down to the individual behind the wheel. Period.
OOIDA Memeber
I'm only driving as a temporary job so that probably makes me smarter than you. April 5th 1993.
I've driven more miles on the keyboard than you!
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for a grant so that I might publish a report about the wasting of tax dollars on worthless research which ends up sitting on a shelf.
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You'll have your money in a week.
I don't have a gambling problem, just bad luck