Dear WTC Responder,

Higher Asthma Rates in WTC Responders: New Research Findings

Important Deadlines for WTC-related Benefits: SEPTEMBER 11, 2010

Workers’ Compensation:

 

For all workers and volunteers who participated in the WTC rescue, recovery and clean-up effort after the September 11th attacks:  File a WTC-12 form by September 11, 2010 to preserve your right to future New York State      Workers' Compensation benefits. For more information and the forms you need, visit http://www.wtc12.org/.

 

WTC Disability Pension for Public Sector Workers:

 

For New York State and City workers who participated in the WTC rescue, recovery and clean-up effort between September 11, 2001, and September 12, 2002:  File a WTC-related Notice of Participation with your retirement system by September 11, 2010. 

 

More information for New York City workers 

 

More information for New York State workers

Vol. 1, Issue 2,  Dec. 2009

E-newsletter 

WTC Medical Monitoring & Treatment Program

On a regular basis we hear about “new scientific findings” and “new medical guidelines.”  Just in the last few months, recommendations about whether children needed 1 or 2 H1N1 shots to protect against swine flu changed (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/pdf/CS206735A_ItTakesTwo_youth4.pdf). And just last month, an independent medical task force released new guidelines for women’s mammography (http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsbrca.htm). These changes were based on findings by health professionals. It’s important to know which study findings to pay attention to and how to understand what they really mean. 

 

Medical research never stops.  Many scientific studies are simply part of the     ongoing work scientists do to understand very tiny bits of information about      disease. Often this type of research has no immediate implications for our lives. But other studies do have immediate real implications for us. And, although new study findings can be confusing, if not outright frustrating, there are a few things you can pay attention to figure out what a study may mean for you.

 

Let’s take the new asthma findings about WTC responder asthma rates (see the article above). Researchers collected, counted up and examined WTC responders who reported asthma symptoms. Then they compared those numbers with how many people in the general population report asthma. The finding: WTC           responders can be up to twice as likely to have asthma symptoms. This kind of study is the foundation, the bedrock, of public health research.  What it tries to find out is:

· Does” X” group have more asthma (or diabetes, obesity, etc.) than “Y” group;

· Why does this happen with “X” and not with “Y”; and then, importantly,

· What can we do to treat “X” more successfully, and, hopefully even prevent the disease?

 

3 Things to Check Out About New Study Findings

Here are three things you should keep in mind when you read or hear about new scientific information or recommendations:

 

1. Source  - Who did the research?  Check to see if the research was done by a reliable and credible source.  For example, if the tobacco industry paid for or did a study that shows that nicotine in cigarettes is not addictive or harmful, you want to take those findings with a lot of skepticism. Obviously, the tobacco industry has an interest in publishing results like these, because they would probably boost      cigarette sales. However, years of research by credible sources has shown just the opposite -  nicotine in cigarettes is harmful. So, source does matter.

 

2. Size - When it comes to medical studies, size does matter. When you hear about the “latest survey findings” on TV, keep in mind that those “findings” are often based on a small number of people - often less than 200. In general, study findings are more easily applied to a large population when a study has been  conducted on a sizeable number of people. The WTC findings are based on 20,843 WTC responders! Not small change.

 

3. The “So What?” Question- For most of us, the bottom line is “So, what does this latest study mean for me?” This is where having a clear and honest            conversation with your health care provider comes in. Asthma is one of the       conditions where patients really benefit greatly by working closely with their doctor to get and keep their asthma under control.

 

Asthma has been on the rise in adults and children in the US for the past 20 years. Not surprisingly it’s the focus of a lot of research. And, while researchers don’t know exactly why there is so much asthma in children and adults, and in special populations such as WTC responders, they are finding that people who live in areas where air pollution is higher, have higher rates of asthma. So, finding more asthma in responders, who were breathing in lots of pollution, may not be so     surprising.

 

When it comes to new studies, it’s good to keep these three “S’s” in mind and  always talk things over with your provider.

 

Each day of the year responders continue to contribute their important health data to the larger WTC Program Studies. You can see why your participation plays such an important role in producing the new science that can help you and so many others have healthy lives.

 

To sign up or to remove your name from the mailing list for this newsletter click here.

Questions or comments? Contact us at the WTC Program.

· 14% of WTC responders screened had been diagnosed with asthma in their lifetimes, compared with only 10% of the general population.

 

· 3% of WTC responders had been diagnosed with asthma before Sept. 11, 2001, while 16% were diagnosed during the years 2005 through 2007. This means that WTC responders were also much more likely to suffer from asthma after their WTC work.

 

These findings are based on information from 20,843 WTC responders who      underwent first-time medical screening exams between 2002 and 2007. (See the Demographic Characteristics Table below for more information about this group.)  During the medical exam, responders were asked when their last asthma attack was, and whether they had ever been diagnosed with asthma. Their answers were counted up—or aggregated—-into percentages. 

 

“Now we know the burden of current asthma in WTC responders is double that found in other people,” said Hyun Kim, Sc.D., the lead author of this research.  “Asthma is a chronic disease, which means that responders will need care for a long time.” Dr. Kim analyzed the data and presented these findings to the     American College of Chest Physicians this past fall.

 

Findings like this reinforce the need for responders to stay involved, participating in medical monitoring offered by the WTC Program, in case they develop new or added health problems in the future. It is also important that ongoing treatment be provided to responders who are sick now. Doctors outside of the WTC       Program can benefit from these findings too, employing this information when they treat  WTC responder patients.

The WTC Program has found that asthma rates among WTC responders are much higher than in the general population.

 

This was discovered by comparing the percentages of asthma found in WTC responders enrolled in the WTC   Program with that found in the general population.        Comparison data from the National Health Interview Survey from 2002 to 2007 was used. We found higher rates of asthma as follows:

 

· In 2007, nearly 8% of WTC responders reported having an asthma attack in the previous year, compared with only 4% in the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) —- meaning asthma attacks occurred in WTC responders at twice the rate as in the general population.

 

 

For many, the holidays are a time of joy and celebrations with family and friends. However, the “holiday blues” can also be a part of the experience, bringing     feelings of sadness, grief, or even depression. For many WTC responders, the holidays present unique challenges because of what they went through during their WTC work. These feelings are too often met with phrases like, “Just get over it” or “Move on.” But moving on can be hard if these feelings are not dealt with compassionately. We want to tell you about many of the normal reactions WTC responders have this time of year, and suggest healthy coping strategies.

 

Holidays, as with other annual or “anniversary” events, are times of                 remembering. For some, this can involve meaningful reflection on years gone by, resulting in a deepened appreciation of the present and sense of optimism about the future. For others, particularly those who have experienced loss, memories can be difficult, bringing more negative feelings about the present and future.

 

Memories of traumatic events like the September 11^th attacks can at times feel intrusive and even overwhelming. For the responder bearing these burdens in the midst of the “holiday spirit”, the discrepancy between the stereotyped images of holiday joy and the difficult memories can be challenging.

 

The holidays can also heighten your everyday stressors. Some of you are     dealing with medical problems, injuries, or financial stress. Others have lost close relationships. Some have lost employment or wages in the wake of 9/11 and the recent economic downturn. These problems can seem even more      serious than usual at this time of year. Finally, the holidays can exacerbate    existing feelings of anxiety, depression, sadness, guilt, and anger. Substance or alcohol use may increase.

 

Responders share the desire to protect others. This generosity can come at the expense of not caring for themselves. Confronted with these complicated       feelings, some will seek to shield their loved ones by creating distance—becoming more isolated, numb or withdrawn. Using alcohol or other drugs may start to seem like a good way to numb bad feelings or to create good feelings.

 

When you’re feeling down during a time when you “should” be celebrating, there are a few things you can do to help cope with the “holiday blues”:

 

· Remember that you have a right to all of your emotions – good and bad – three hundred and sixty five days each year. Resist the temptation to judge yourself because you aren’t in the “proper” holiday mood.

 

· Let those close to you know this is a difficult time for you. Tell them what you need in order to enjoy or even pass the time during the holidays. For some, it may be time alone to reflect on lost friends or family. For others, it may be the close company of partners, children, or fellow first responders. Whatever your needs may be, it’s important to take the best possible care of yourself.

 

· Get moving. Sometimes the blues can leave you feeling tired during the day. Do your best to avoid staying in bed or spending too much time in front of the television. Taking a walk or other forms of exercise can improve your mood and give you more energy.

 

Most bouts of the “holiday blues” pass during or within weeks of the holidays, but if you have feelings of sadness or emptiness that just won’t go away, or if you lose interest in the things you usually enjoy for more than two weeks, call the WTC program to speak to someone who can answer your questions or provide an evaluation. The “holiday blues” can be a difficult part of a time of year when everyone else seems to be celebrating, but WTC responders are not alone. There are WTC program counselors and therapists ready to help.

 

If you are interested in making an appointment, contact our program by calling  1-888-702-0630.

   In recent weeks you may have seen news stories reporting that researchers have found higher rates of asthma in World Trade Center responders. That report came from research by this program, drawing from health information you give us at each visit. It is your continuing participation in this program that makes it   possible for us to learn more about the health of WTC responders. Thank you.

 

In this issue of our e-newsletter, you can read more about that research. You can also learn about how to read and interpret such medical studies and find links to more information about asthma as a condition.

 

We know that the holiday season can bring feelings of sadness, loss and anxiety to many WTC responders. Learn how to recognize signs of these feelings in    yourself and what to do about them in an article by Drs. Peter Haugen and Mark Evces below.

 

At the WTCMMTP, we would like to offer our sincere gratitude for your service in response to the WTC    attacks. We also want to remind you that we are here to help you with the medical, mental health and benefits counseling needs you may have after that service.

 

We wish you a health, happy and safe holiday  season.

 

WTC Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program

 

 

 

   We wish you a healthy, happy and safe holiday     season.

 

         -  The WTC Medical Monitoring & Treatment Program