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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Rachel A. Kramer, ScD, MHS1, Nicole M. Smith, PhD, MPH, MPP2, W. Randolph Daley, DVM, MPH2, Vikki G. Nolan, MPH1, Roger Hayes1, Scott A. Cotenoff, JD1, Carol H. Rubin, DVM, MPH2, Alden K. Henderson, PhD, MPH2, W. Dana Flanders, MD, PhD2, and Andrew Goodman, MD, MPH1. (1) Community HealthWorks, New York City Department of Health, 40 Worth Street, Room 1602, New York, NY 10013, 212-341-9810, rkramer@health.nyc.gov, (2) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE MS E-23, Atlanta, GA 30333
Background: The attack on the World Trade Center (WTC) killed thousands of people and affected an estimated 25,000 living nearby in lower Manhattan. Many residents witnessed the attacks; were exposed to smoke, dust, and debris; and evacuated their homes. To establish priorities and direct interventions, the New York City Department of Health (NYCDOH), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) surveyed residents living near the WTC to identify health-related needs and concerns. Methods: Soon after the attacks, teams of CDC and NYCDOH staff administered questionnaires in three neighborhoods comprising 12,300 (49%) of the affected lower Manhattan residential population. One household member was interviewed in each randomly selected housing unit. We estimated the proportion of residents with adverse health effects including the potential for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and limited access to services. Risk ratios (RRs) were calculated to assess characteristics associated with potential PTSD. PTSD potential was evaluated using a standardized checklist. Results: We interviewed 414 residents. The most frequently reported symptoms that developed or increased after September 11 were nose or throat irritation (66.4% [95% CI=61.6-70.9]), eye irritation or infection (51.8% [95%CI=46.9-56.8]), or coughing (48.5[95%CI=43.6-53.5]). The potential for PTSD was reported in 39.1% (95%CI=34.3-44.0) of the sample. Of 35.7% (95%CI=31.1-40.6) of respondents who thought counseling would be beneficial, 35.5% (95%CI=27.6-44.0) lacked adequate access. Conclusions: The WTC collapse affected the physical and mental health of neighboring residents. In response, NYC is targeting outreach, counseling, and education services to reduce these adverse health effects.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.