The HHC World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, founded to bring medical care to Lower Manhattan workers and residents, is today about to start a new phase of treatment, monitoring and research on the impact of 9/11.

From the early days, Dr. Joan Reibman, WTC Environmental Health Center Medical Director, has been among the doctors and scientists treating patients and studying the illnesses that 9/11 wrought.

The latest data on WTC patients says on average they are in their late 40s. More than three fourths have lower respiratory symptoms including cough and shortness of breath, and more than half have post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety or depression.

A high school student, a day care teacher, a paralegal, a financial services worker, and a commuter all share the common link of living with 9/11 related health conditions and getting care at the HHC WTC center.