New York City Opens 9/11 Health Website

NEW YORK, New York, September 11, 2007 (ENS) - On the sixth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has launched a new World Trade Center health website. Its creation was a key recommendation of the report, "Addressing the Health Impacts of 9/11."

Online at http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/wtc/html/home/home.shtml, the new site provides, for the first time, a single source for information about the health effects of 9/11. It consolidates the latest information about scientific research and services, including where those affected can go for free treatment and medicine.

The website includes easily accessible research findings and treatment options for the different groups of affected people - rescue and recovery workers, residents, children, city employees and others.

Urban Search and Rescue specialists search for survivors amongst the wreckage at the World Trade Center. September 13, 2007. (Photo by Andrea Booher courtesy FEMA)

In February, the mayor adopted all of the 15 recommendations in the "Addressing the Health Impacts of 9/11" report.

The report's authors, led by Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs and Deputy Mayor Edward Skyler, represented all of the city agencies dealing with the health impacts of the attacks on the World Trade Center, WTC. They were charged with identifying the steps needed to serve those with medical conditions related to the 9/11 attacks and their aftermath.

"There is much we still don't know about World Trade Center health effects," said New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Frieden. "But we do know that some rescue and recovery workers, city employees, and residents have experienced health problems. Some have experienced respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, or mental health issues such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder."

"The new website is a great way for people to get timely, reliable information about health effects and learn where they can get help," the health commissioner said.

The new site offers:

• Health information targeted to each affected group such as workers or residents.
• Detailed information on where to get evaluation and treatment, including the three WTC Centers of Excellence
• A compilation of all scientific literature and information about ongoing research
• Links to financial assistance providers, social-service and environmental groups, and other groups working on issues related to 9/11
• Resources for health care professionals

The mayor has appointed the WTC Medical Working Group, a group of scientists and medical experts who review the latest science and its applicability to different populations. He also appointed the World Trade Center Health Coordinator to organize this information and help convey it to the public.

The largest and most comprehensive tracking effort - the World Trade Center Health Registry - continues to monitor the long-term health of people who were exposed to the World Trade Center disaster. They now reside in all 50 states.

Two weeks ago, the Registry released critical findings about rescue and recovery workers, some of whom were suffering from asthma and post-traumatic disorder as a result of the disaster.

One in eight rescue and recovery workers had post-traumatic stress disorder when they were interviewed in 2003 and 2004. Rates were highest among volunteer workers and lowest among police officers.

In addition, 3.6 percent of the 25,000 rescue and recovery workers enrolled in the Registry report developing asthma after working at the site. That rate is 12 times what would be normally expected for the adult population during such a time period.

The Health Department is now re-surveying all 71,000 registrants to learn more about their current health status. So far, nearly 60 percent of registrants have responded. This survey will help answer critical questions about the health consequences of 9/11. The latest information from the Registry will be made available on the new website.

Mayor Bloomberg says the city's financial commitment to 9/11 health through the year 2011 exceeds $100 million.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2007. All rights reserved.