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NIOSH Funded Projects

WTC Health Program Research Cooperative Agreements

Title: Bronchial Reactivity and the Course of Lung Function
Title: 1U01 OH010411-01
Institution: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Principal Investigator: Thomas Aldrich
Description:

Persistent obstructive airways disease (an asthma-like condition) is common among World Trade Center exposed firefighters, though rare in this population before 9/11/2001. In about 30% there is accompanying bronchial hyperreactivity (easily triggered airway narrowing). This study will re-examine a large number of firefighters who had bronchial reactivity soon after 9/11 to determine whether those with bronchial hyper-reactivity at onset have persistent hyperactivity more than ten years later, whether they have accelerated lung function decline, and whether those treated with anti-asthma medications were more likely to show resolution of bronchial hyperactivity and/or show less rapid decline in lung function.

Title: For How Long is WTC Exposure Associated with Incident Airway Obstruction
Title: 1U01 OH010412-01
Institution: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Principal Investigator: Charles Hall
Description:

The study uses innovative statistical methods – parametric survival models with change points – to study the incidence of new onset obstructive airway disease (OAD) diagnoses and symptoms over the first ten years following WTC exposure, with the goal of determining the length of time that exposure response gradients are observed among exposed FDNY firefighters. This study will allow estimation of the length of time that a relatively short-term, high intensity exposure may be associated with incident respiratory illness.

Title: Pulmonary diseases in WTC Workers: Symptoms, Function, and Chest CT Correlates
Title: 1U01 OH010401-01
Institution: Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Principal Investigator: Rafael De La Hoz
Description:

The overall goal of this study is to identify the early manifestations of lung disease among the WTC workers and volunteers, as well as investigate their risk factors. The study team will perform standardized and computer-assisted readings of all chest CT scans received by WTC workers and volunteers at the Mount Sinai Medical Center since January 2003; assess the findings in a systematic way; evaluate the correlation of findings with clinical, functional, and exposure indicators; and develop a protocol for continued radiological surveillance of this cohort.

Title: Biomarkers of Psychological Risk and Resilience in World Trade Center Responders
Title: 1U01 OH010407-01
Institution: Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Principal Investigator: Adriana Feder
Description:

This study will employ a multi-level approach to study clinical, psychosocial, neuroendocrine, genotypic, gene-environment interaction, and molecular factors associated with PTSD risk and resilience in a sample of 500 WTC responders. The study will provide important information about the risk and resilience factors for PTSD in disaster responders and make possible the development of improved preventive and treatment interventions for this disorder in disaster responders and trauma-exposed individuals in general.

Title: Prognosis and Determinants of Asthma Morbidity in WTC Rescue and Recovery Workers
Title: 1U01 OH010405-01
Institution: Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Principal Investigator: Juan Wisnivesky
Description:

Asthma is a common illness among WTC workers (9-year cumulative incidence ~28%) and is responsible for a high rate of morbidity and diminished quality of life in this population. However, there is limited data regarding the natural history or factors that contribute to asthma morbidity among WTC workers. The objective of this study is to examine the natural history, self-management, and impact of physical and mental health comorbidities on asthma morbidity among WTC rescue and recovery workers.

Title: The Impact of 9/11 on Youth: Mental Health, Substance Use & Other Risk Behaviors
Title: 1U01 OH0104114-01
Institution: New York State Psychiatric Institute
Principal Investigator: Christina Hoven
Description:

Worldwide Public Health concern about disaster and its long-term consequences on mental health remains an important but inadequately addressed issue. This study examines the mental health, substance use and other risky behaviors, among children directly exposed to the 9/11 attack—current ages 12-24. The study is designed to obtain an-in depth assessment of these adolescents’ and emerging adults’ current level of need, with the intention of facilitating treatment, diagnosis and intervention, as well as to inform public policy.

Title: Service Need and Use among Youth Exposed to the WTC Attack
Title: 1U01 OH010413-01
Institution: New York State Psychiatric Institute
Principal Investigator: Ping Wu
Description:

This study will examine patterns of mental health service utilization, barriers to mental health treatment services, and the factors associated with such use by youth who were exposed to the WTC attack. The study findings will provide guidance to the improvement of mental health intervention for these youth and will help in preparedness efforts for future terrorist attacks.

Title: Health and Socioeconomic Sequelae of the WTC Disaster among Responders
Title: 1U01 OH010399-01
Institution: North Shore—LIJ Health System
Principal Investigator: Hyun Kim
Description:

This study will comprehensively describe the overall physical, mental, and socioeconomic impact of the WTC disaster on responders, as well as identify the linkage between SES and health among WTC responders. Results from this study have the potential to make a significant public health impact through the identification of new diseases and high-risk groups within the WTC cohort, and aid future development of new guidelines for the implementation of an occupational health surveillance system for disasters, which is essential for disaster preparedness.

Title: Epigenetic Linkage between PTSD and Respiratory Disease in WTC Responders
Title: 1U01 OH010416-01
Institution: State University New York Stony Brook
Principal Investigator: Benjamin Luft
Description:

World Trade Center disaster responders exhibit persistent symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and respiratory illness linked to the severity of their exposures. One-quarter of responders affected by these conditions suffer from both, resulting in increased disability and utilization of medical services. This study will examine the potential mechanisms underlying PTSD/respiratory co-morbidity that may facilitate the development of more effective, theory-driven interventions for these difficult to treat patients.

Title: Obstructive Sleep Apnea in WTC Responders; Role of Nasal Pathology
Title: 1U01 OH010415-01
Institution: UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Principal Investigator: Jag Sunderram
Description:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disorder with significant morbidity and impact on quality of life that can be improved by treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This study will examine the role of nasal pathology in WTC responders in the development of OSA and its impact on their ability to use CPAP. The present study contributes to understanding the relationship of nasal /upper airway mechanisms to the development of sleep apnea in this population and explores the possibility of improving comfort and adherence to CPAP treatment by modifying how CPAP is delivered.