Project 61 Launches Driver Health Research at MATS 2026

SDSU and NAU researchers will join Project 61 at MATS to conduct free health screenings and advance truck driver health research

LOUISVILLE, KY | [02/26/26] Project 61, the nonprofit spearheading an industry-wide movement to help truck drivers live longer, healthier lives, today announced a research collaboration with San Diego State University (SDSU) and Northern Arizona University (NAU) launching at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Kentucky, March 26–28, 2026.

Researchers from SDSU and NAU will join Project 61 at MATS to provide a “Health Hub” experience offering free, professional-grade health screenings for drivers and collecting exploratory data to inform larger future studies and evidence-based interventions designed specifically for life on the road.

“Truck driver health is one of the most important and under-addressed issues in our industry,” said Jeremy Reymer, Founder of Project 61. “Sadly, there isn’t enough recent health research focused on truck drivers. This collaboration launches at MATS and is the starting point for the largest coordinated truck driver health research effort Project 61 intends to build, using the data to improve outcomes for this critical workforce.”

“Truck drivers face structural barriers to health that most traditional programs do not account for,” said Dr. Mark Manera, President and Chief Health Officer of Project 61. “This partnership is about building evidence-based solutions that fit the realities of trucking, and turning that evidence into action.”

“We are excited to partner with Project 61 because they are leading the way in bringing attention, tools, and action to truck driver health,” said Nanette “Gigi” Lopez, PhD, RDN, Associate Professor of Health Sciences and Interim Director of the Interdisciplinary Health PhD Program at Northern Arizona University. “By meeting drivers where they are and combining practical screenings with research, we can help generate the insights needed to drive meaningful, lasting health improvements across the industry.”

HEALTH HUB AT MATS

The SDSU and NAU research team will join Project 61 at MATS to deliver a “Health Hub” experience designed to:

• Provide free health screenings for drivers through professional-grade assessments
• Deliver immediate value for drivers, including instant feedback on results and an introduction to Project 61 tools and programs
• Generate exploratory data and objective measurements to support future large-scale studies and funding

ON-SITE HEALTH MEASUREMENTS

Participating drivers will have access to measurements designed to create a comprehensive wellness profile, including:

• Body Composition: BMI, weight, height, body fat percentage, and a mobile DEXA unit
• Cardiovascular Health: blood pressure and a three-minute step test using Polar heart-rate sensors
• Metabolic Health: blood glucose, A1C (finger prick), and creatinine levels
• General Wellness: hearing tests, spirometry (lung function), and Fitbit monitoring

WHERE TO FIND PROJECT 61 AT MATS

Drivers and attendees can visit Booth #40468 (North Wing Lobby) during MATS to participate in Health Hub screenings and learn more about Project 61’s driver health tools and resources.

WHY THIS RESEARCH MATTERS

Truck driver health remains under-measured relative to the size and importance of the workforce that keeps the supply chain moving. This collaboration is designed to combine Project 61’s driver-first approach and trust within trucking with university-led research rigor and validated methods, creating a foundation for evidence-based interventions tailored to the realities of life on the road.

Media Contact

Jeremy Reymer
jeremy@project-61.org
project-61.org