ATA Co-sponsors National Conference on Sleep Apnea and Truck Drivers

Arlington, Va. - The American Trucking Associations (ATA) will co-sponsor the first-ever national conference on sleep apnea and commercial motor vehicle drivers on May 12, 2010.

Obstructed sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition in which an individual's airway is blocked while sleeping, typically resulting in frequent breathing interruptions lasting from 10 seconds to more than a minute at a time, loud snoring and non-restorative sleep. The illness afflicts at least 20 million Americans - equal to or more than asthma or diabetes - yet more than 85 percent remain undiagnosed. Individuals with OSA are more likely to have high blood pressure, heart problems, stroke and depression, contributing to annual health care costs that are twice that of people without sleep apnea.

"It is important that the trucking industry actively engages in improving the quality of life and the performance of our drivers," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. "Professional truck drivers play a vital role in delivering our nation's freight." The conference, hosted by the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA), will feature presentations and panel discussions that focus on providing a common understanding of OSA diagnosis and treatment, clarifying current and proposed regulations, establishing an ongoing forum of experts to generate guidance for improvements, and providing trucking management with the resources to improve employee health and safety.

"The trucking industry continues to grapple with the tough questions and issues surrounding screening and treatment for sleep apnea," said Dave Osiecki, ATA Vice President of Safety, Security and Operations. "This event is a significant step forward and we encourage industry stakeholders to participate."

The one-day conference will be held at the Westin Baltimore Washington - BWI in Baltimore, Md. and is preceded by a reception and keynote address from National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah Hersman on May 11, 2010.

For more information, visit the ASAA conference Web site at www.satc2010.org