September 11, 2001 – Honoring the Past, Protecting the Present: The World Trade Center Health Program

September 11, 2001, is a day that remains etched in all our memories. The tragic events at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, PA, changed our nation forever.  But beyond the immediate loss of life, another tragedy unfolded quietly in the months and years that followed - tens of thousands of responders, survivors, and community members began experiencing serious health problems directly related to their 9/11 exposure.

That’s why the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program, managed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), is so critical. Established to provide medical monitoring and treatment, this program continues to serve those whose health was compromised by their bravery or simply by their presence in lower Manhattan during and after 9/11.  Today, more than 127,000 members are enrolled, including over 83,000 responders and 44,000 survivors.

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility is broader than many realize. You may qualify if you:

• Worked, lived, or went to school or daycare in the NYC disaster area between 9/11/01 and mid-2002.
• They were present in the dust cloud on 9/11.
• Performed rescue, recovery, cleanup, or related work at Ground Zero, the Staten Island Landfill, PATH tunnels, barge loading piers, the Pentagon, or Shanksville.

Even indirect roles—such as site security, administrative support, providing supplies, or working with the Medical Examiner’s Office—count toward eligibility.

Covered Health Conditions

The WTC Health Program recognizes and treats a wide range of certified WTC-related health conditions, including:

Top Health Conditions

• Respiratory diseases: asthma, chronic cough, sinusitis
• Digestive disorders: GERD, chronic acid reflux
• Mental health conditions: PTSD, anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping
• Cancers linked to toxic exposures
• Acute traumatic injuries sustained during response work

Many survivors and responders still don’t realize their health issues—persistent cough, runny nose, chronic heartburn, or ongoing anxiety—may be related to their 9/11 exposure.

Top Cancer Certifications

Where to Get Care

The program offers treatment through Clinical Centers of Excellence (CCE) in the New York metropolitan area, and for those outside NY, through the Nationwide Provider Network (NPN). Benefits include medical monitoring, prescription coverage, mental health care, and treatment tailored specifically to certified WTC-related conditions.

Why It Matters

The work of the WTC Health Program isn’t just about honoring those who served or survived—it’s about ensuring that no one is left behind in their fight for health. With over 400,000 people estimated to have been affected by 9/11, the program remains a lifeline for many and a reminder that the impact of that day continues.

On this September 11, we honor those we lost, but we also reaffirm our commitment to care for those still living with the health consequences of that day. The WTC Health Program, guided by NIOSH, ensures that the promise made in the aftermath—that we would not forget—continues to be fulfilled.

Call to Action: How to Apply

If you or someone you know may qualify for the World Trade Center Health Program, don’t wait:

• Visit the WTC Health Program website to learn more.

• Review the eligibility checklists for survivors and responders.

• Apply online or download an application to begin the process.

Getting connected to the program can provide access to the care, monitoring, and support needed to manage 9/11-related health conditions—and ensure no one faces these challenges alone.

Previous Posts Regarding 9/11

Re-Post of our 20 Year Anniversary of 9/11, 10-Year Anniversary of the World Trade Center Health Program. Lesson Learned?

Its Been 15 Years Since 9/11. 4 Things We Have Learned!

The Toxic Clouds of 9/11

A Bitter Birthday: Celebrating NIOSH’s Legacy Amid Uncertain Times

 Today, April 28, marks the anniversary of the day NIOSH first opened its doors in 1971, following the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Congress created NIOSH — the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health — to "assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the Nation safe and healthful working conditions."

Types of Respirators

For more than half a century, NIOSH has stood as a cornerstone of worker protection.  Its research has helped shape critical safety standards for asbestos, silica, lead, heat stress, mental health, and countless other hazards across industries.  From construction sites to healthcare settings, from manufacturing floors to environmental consulting offices, NIOSH’s work has been integral to safeguarding the health and lives of American workers.

But this year’s celebration is bittersweet — and frankly, alarming.

In a stunning and deeply concerning move, mass layoffs have gutted key NIOSH research and education programs.  Overnight, the agency’s capacity to investigate workplace hazards, develop scientific guidelines, and educate the next generation of safety professionals has been drastically reduced.

The consequences of this cannot be overstated.  Without NIOSH’s leadership:

• Standards for silica, a deadly airborne hazard linked to silicosis and lung cancer, are now at risk of stagnating.

• Protections against lead exposure, which affects the brain and nervous system, could weaken.

• Efforts to address heat-related illness, a growing crisis as climate change intensifies, are left vulnerable.

• Momentum around mental health in the workplace, a long-ignored pillar of occupational safety, may lose critical support just when it's finally gaining ground.

Occupational safety and health cannot afford to stand still — and it certainly cannot afford to move backward.  Every advance we’ve made — every reduced injury rate, every improved standard, every saved life — was built on a foundation of science, research, and proactive leadership.  Without a strong, fully functioning NIOSH, that foundation starts to crack.

Thankfully, the fight to #SaveNIOSH is growing stronger by the day.

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) are actively advocating through letters, partnerships, and a public #SaveNIOSH campaign.  Workers, safety professionals, and the general public are encouraged to use the Voter Voice system to contact legislators, share their support on social media, and help safeguard worker protections that are critical to U.S. health, safety, and economic well-being.

A coalition of 460 organizations is urging Congress to stop the planned layoffs at NIOSH, warning that cutting more than 870 employees would cripple efforts to protect the health and safety of 164 million U.S. workers.  These cuts — part of a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) restructuring set to take effect by June 30 — would devastate critical programs like the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory,  providing info on Firefighter research, services, and health and safety information, and Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program and other such initiatives.

NYC FireFighter

The coalition emphasizes that NIOSH provides the nation’s only dedicated federal research on preventing workplace injuries and illnesses — losses that cost the U.S. economy more than $250 billion annually.

Lawmakers, including Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), are demanding hearings and greater transparency, arguing that gutting NIOSH would not only endanger workers but also undermine decades of public health progress and weaken evidence-based solutions that have saved countless lives.

Protecting NIOSH is not just about preserving an institution — it's about maintaining a safer, healthier workforce and a stronger economy. It’s about continuing the work that has made American workplaces among the safest in the world.

As we mark this important milestone, let’s honor NIOSH’s legacy — not just with words, but with action.  Speak up.  Get involved.  Fight for the future of occupational health and safety.

Because workers deserve better.