Hurricane Sandy Exposure and the Mental Health of World Trade Center Responders

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn J. Bromet ◽  
Sean Clouston ◽  
Adam Gonzalez ◽  
Roman Kotov ◽  
Kathryn M. Guerrera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
World Trade ◽  
World Trade Center ◽  
Hurricane Sandy ◽  
Trade Center

A Mixed-Methods Study After Multiple Disasters: September 11, 2001, World Trade Center Terrorist Attacks and Hurricane Sandy

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Sascha K. Garrey ◽  
Aminotu A. Ogunyemi ◽  
Lisa M. Gargano
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
World Trade ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
World Trade Center ◽  
Hurricane Sandy ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Modifiable Factors ◽  
Trade Center

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to use a mixed-method analysis to investigate the associations between qualitative themes found in written responses and quantitative reported level of stress after Hurricane Sandy. Methods: A survey was conducted among World Trade Center Health Registry enrollees 5-12 mo after Hurricane Sandy. This study included 1202 participants who completed the free-response section and answered the question on how stressful their experiences were with Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath. Content analysis was used to generate qualitative data. Mixed-methods analysis was performed using a 1-way analysis of variance test for bivariate comparisons of qualitative thematic codes and the quantitative outcome of mean Sandy stress scores. Results: Seven themes emerged from the qualitative analysis. The themes of lack of information, negative emotional response, and financial stress had higher quantitative mean Sandy stress scores compared with other themes. The theme of patriotism/gratitude had an overall lower quantitative Sandy stress scores than other themes. Conclusions: Qualitative and mixed-methods research on mental health outcomes after a disaster add new depth and findings to the existing literature. Using such methodologies to identify modifiable factors, such as improving communication during a disaster, may confer better mental health outcomes after a disaster.

scholarly journals Post-9/11 Mental Health Comorbidity Predicts Self-Reported Confusion or Memory Loss in World Trade Center Health Registry Enrollees

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 7330
Author(s):  
Howard E. Alper ◽  
Rifat A. Tuly ◽  
Kacie Seil ◽  
Jennifer Brite
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
World Trade ◽  
World Trade Center ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Binomial Regression ◽  
Trade Center ◽  
Health Registry ◽  
World Trade Center Attacks

Numerous studies report elevated levels of chronic mental health conditions in those exposed to the World Trade Center attacks of 11 September 2001 (9/11), but few studies have examined the incidence of confusion or memory loss (CML) or its association with mental health in 9/11 attack survivors. We investigated the incidence of CML and its association with the number of post-9/11 mental health conditions (PTSD, depression, and anxiety) in 10,766 World Trade Center Health Registry (Registry) enrollees aged 35–64 at the time of the wave 4 survey (2015–2016) that completed all four-wave surveys and met the study inclusion criteria. We employed log-binomial regression to evaluate the associations between CML and the number of mental health conditions. A total of 20.2% of enrollees in the sample reported CML, and there was a dose-response relationship between CML and the number of mental health conditions (one condition: RR = 1.85, 95% CI (1.65, 2.09); two conditions: RR = 2.13, 95% CI (1.85, 2.45); three conditions: RR = 2.51, 95% CI (2.17, 2.91)). Survivors may be experiencing confusion or memory loss partly due to the mental health consequences of the 9/11 attacks. Clinicians treating patients with mental health conditions should be aware of potential cognitive impairment.

scholarly journals An Overview of 9/11 Experiences and Respiratory and Mental Health Conditions among World Trade Center Health Registry Enrollees

2008 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. 880-909 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Farfel ◽  
Laura DiGrande ◽  
Robert Brackbill ◽  
Angela Prann ◽  
James Cone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
World Trade ◽  
World Trade Center ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Trade Center ◽  
Health Registry

scholarly journals Hurricane Sandy Evacuation Among World Trade Center Health Registry Enrollees in New York City

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 411-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shakara Brown ◽  
Lisa M. Gargano ◽  
Hilary Parton ◽  
Kimberly Caramanica ◽  
Mark R. Farfel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
World Trade ◽  
World Trade Center ◽  
Hurricane Sandy ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Community Cohesion ◽  
Poor Physical Health ◽  
Trade Center ◽  
Health Registry

AbstractObjectiveTimely evacuation is vital for reducing adverse outcomes during disasters. This study examined factors associated with evacuation and evacuation timing during Hurricane Sandy among World Trade Center Health Registry (Registry) enrollees.MethodsThe study sample included 1162 adults who resided in New York City’s evacuation zone A during Hurricane Sandy who completed the Registry’s Hurricane Sandy substudy in 2013. Factors assessed included zone awareness, prior evacuation experience, community cohesion, emergency preparedness, and poor physical health. Prevalence estimates and multiple logistic regression models of evacuation at any time and evacuation before Hurricane Sandy were created.ResultsAmong respondents who evacuated for Hurricane Sandy (51%), 24% had evacuated before the storm. In adjusted analyses, those more likely to evacuate knew they resided in an evacuation zone, had evacuated during Hurricane Irene, or reported pre-Sandy community cohesion. Evacuation was less likely among those who reported being prepared for an emergency. For evacuation timing, evacuation before Hurricane Sandy was less likely among those with pets and those who reported 14 or more poor physical health days.ConclusionsHigher evacuation rates were observed for respondents seemingly more informed and who lived in neighborhoods with greater social capital. Improved disaster messaging that amplifies these factors may increase adherence with evacuation warnings. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:411–419)

scholarly journals Characterizing Mental Health Treatment Utilization among Individuals Exposed to the 2001 World Trade Center Terrorist Attacks 14–15 Years Post-Disaster

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie H. Jacobson ◽  
Christina Norman ◽  
Pablo Sadler ◽  
Lysa J. Petrsoric ◽  
Robert M. Brackbill
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
World Trade ◽  
World Trade Center ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Treatment Utilization ◽  
Health Treatment ◽  
Trade Center ◽  
Post Disaster ◽  
Wtc Attacks

Following the World Trade Center (WTC) attacks in New York City (NYC) on 11 September 2001 (9/11), thousands in NYC experienced significant stress reactions and disorders, presenting an immediate need for counseling and treatment. While other studies documented post-9/11 mental health treatment utilization, none have data more than two years post-disaster. We used data from 35,629 enrollees of the WTC Health Registry, a longitudinal cohort study of those exposed to the WTC attacks, to examine predictors of counseling after 9/11, the types of practitioners seen, and the perceived helpfulness of therapy up to 15 years post-disaster. Among enrollees, 37.7% reported receiving counseling at some time after 9/11. Predictors of seeking counseling included race/ethnicity, age at 9/11, education level, exposure to the WTC attacks, other traumatic experiences, mental health symptomology, and pre-9/11 counseling. Whites and Hispanics, those who were children on 9/11, and those with high levels of exposure to the WTC attacks sought counseling soonest after 9/11. Among those who sought counseling, Blacks, Asians, and those with lower education and income were less likely to see mental health specialists and more likely to see general practitioners or religious advisors. Finally, among those who sought recent counseling, women, Blacks, those aged ≥65 years, and those with very high WTC exposures were more likely to rate their recent counseling as very helpful. This study used data up to 15 years post-disaster to document mental health treatment utilization patterns, trends, and disparities that have implications for future preparedness plans and needs assessments.

scholarly journals Exposure to the World Trade Center Disaster and 9/11-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Household Disaster Preparedness

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 625-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa M. Gargano ◽  
Kimberly Caramanica ◽  
Sarah Sisco ◽  
Robert M. Brackbill ◽  
Steven D. Stellman
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
World Trade ◽  
World Trade Center ◽  
Hurricane Sandy ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
World Trade Center Disaster ◽  
Trade Center ◽  
Post Traumatic

AbstractObjectiveIn a population with prior exposure to the World Trade Center disaster, this study sought to determine the subsequent level of preparedness for a new disaster and how preparedness varied with population characteristics that are both disaster-related and non-disaster-related.MethodsThe sample included 4496 World Trade Center Health Registry enrollees who completed the Wave 3 (2011-2012) and Hurricane Sandy (2013) surveys. Participants were considered prepared if they reported possessing at least 7 of 8 standard preparedness items. Logistic regression was used to determine associations between preparedness and demographic and medical factors, 9/11-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assessed at Wave 3, 9/11 exposure, and social support.ResultsOver one-third (37.5%) of participants were prepared with 18.8% possessing all 8 items. The item most often missing was an evacuation plan (69.8%). Higher levels of social support were associated with being prepared. High levels of 9/11 exposure were associated with being prepared in both the PTSD and non-PTSD subgroups.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that prior 9/11 exposure favorably impacted Hurricane Sandy preparedness. Future preparedness messaging should target people with low social support networks. Communications should include information on evacuation zones and where to find information about how to evacuate. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:625–633)

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