9/11 Health Research and Care: Part II

Research plays a vital role in the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program. In Part I of 9/11 Health Research and Care we explained how member participation in research provides new insights into WTC-related health conditions and supports those who need ongoing treatment and monitoring following their exposure on 9/11. In Part II, you will learn more about how 9/11 research aids in the care of our members.

Members of the WTC Health Program receive limited health care through a network of carefully selected clinics and providers nationwide. To ensure care is effective for treating conditions connected to 9/11 exposures, the WTC Health Program uses research translation.

What is Research Translation?

Research translation is the practice of using science to inform healthcare decisions. The WTC Health Program uses research translation to understand how 9/11 exposures can lead to illness and uncover the most effective ways to treat that illness. To accomplish this, experts like medical professionals, researchers, and Program officials work together to translate research into care.

For research findings to improve treatment and care for WTC-related health conditions, large studies of the 9/11-exposed population are often required to uncover compelling information. To form consensus among experts, sometimes additional studies are needed to replicate findings or explore additional questions.

Examples of Research Translation

Research translation invites dialogue with the public. The Program invites conversation within the 9/11 community using blogs, social media, public meetings and petitions.

The WTC Health Program reviews the scientific evidence and considers new conditions discovered in research. For example, research findings led to expanding healthcare coverage in 2012 to include 60 different types of cancer.¹

Research translation also invites dialogue with the public. These are some ways the Program invites conversation within the 9/11 community:

• blog posts;
• social media posts;
• meetings open to the public; and
• petitions. ^2,3

The Program also releases a yearly summary of new research.

WTC Heath Program and Research Improvements

The Program is reviewing research and health surveillance findings and has identified several areas for future research, such as:

• cardiovascular disease;
• autoimmune diseases; and
• cognitive impairment.

To encourage more research of the 9/11 community, the WTC Health Program recently updated the categories of research funding to support a broader range of studies. Efforts now focus on promoting new opportunities for research funding and increasing proposals.

Efforts to improve care and refine understanding of health impacts of 9/11 depends on participation from willing members. Progress in care and treatments for the 9/11 community would not be possible without the support from those willing participants.

To view the latest developments in research, and stay up to date on research funding opportunities, visit the WTC Health Program research page. You can also learn about past research projects and how to attend a future WTC Health Program Research Webinar.

Additional Reading

• 9/11 Health Research and Care: Part I
• Environmental Factor – May 2021: Thumbs up for translational research framework from WTC program (National Institutes of Health)
• A Way Forward: The Translational Impacts of World Trade Center Health Program Research (NIOSH Science Blog)

References

1. United States, Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, World Trade Center Health Program. ” World Trade Center Health Program; Addition of Certain Types of Cancer to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions.” Federal Register, 12 September 2012, Government Printing Office, 2012 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-09-12/pdf/2012-22304.pdf
2. Daniels, RD, Carreón, T, Bilics, JA, Reissman, DB, Howard, J. The World Trade Center Health Program: Petitions for adding qualifying health conditions. Am J Ind Med. 2021; 64: 885- 892. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.23267
3. Additional Information about submitting petitions can be found on the WTC Health Program Petitions page