DIEPPE, N.B. — The federal government has just announced that it’s backing a $2.6-million study in the Maritimes to find out why truck drivers generally live a decade less than the average Joe.

The three-year study will be conducted by researchers at the University of Moncton and has the full moral support of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association (APTA).

Between now and 2015, a team of researchers will — through a series of in-person interviews and simulations — get a read on the health of about 1,000 drivers.

The end result will be three pronged:

First, part of the money will go towards the purchase of a driver-simulator that can be accessed by fleets who want to polish driver skills.

Second, researchers will create a software product they’re calling a "healthy driver profile” to help the industry identify causes and address costs associated with driver health issues."

Finally, the work will be compiled and morphed into a self-help driver-health kit available to fleets.

Researchers say they will be examining all aspects of driver health, including sleeping habits, nutrition, physical activity and stress.

"They [drivers] are an interesting population," says Professor Michel Johnson, an assistant professor at the school of kinesiology and recreation at the University of Moncton and the leader of the study. "The average age is in the mid-50s now, and they are showing higher-than-expected incidences in cardiovascular disease and diabetes, for instance."

APTA Executive Director Jean Marc Picard says the study comes at the perfect time.

"This project will be helpful assisting Atlantic Canadian companies by putting the right tools in place in order to maintain a good work force," said Picard.