Health
Continuing 9/11 health risks studied
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 4, 2004
Nearly half of the more than 1,000 screened rescue and recovery workers and volunteers who responded to the World Trade Center attacks have new and persistent respiratory problems, and more than half have continuing psychological symptoms, according to preliminary data from a medical screening program funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and administered by the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.
"These findings suggest that specialized medical monitoring programs for rescue and recovery workers that identify potential problems and make appropriate referrals for treatment should be part of all emergency preparedness plans," said John Howard, MD, MPH, director of the CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. "Early provision of respiratory and other protective equipment is also crucial for preventing physical and mental health effects," he said.
The findings were published in the CDC's Sept. 9 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/10/04/hlbf1004.htm.
