Statement by HHC President Alan D. Aviles:

"The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation is grateful to be the sole recipient of this CDC grant funding to help expand medical and mental health services to residents, students and other community members with health problems related to the World Trade Center disaster. This is the first allocation of federal funds to support treatment of those adversely affected by the 9/11 attacks who were not rescue and recovery workers.

"Our WTC Environmental Health Center at Bellevue Hospital, Elmhurst Hospital Center and Gouverneur Healthcare Services has more than 3,000 individuals under care for 9/11 related illness. Every week, more New Yorkers continue to step forward with persistent wheezing, shortness of breath, stomach ailments and other medical or emotional problems related to their exposure to the 9/11 attack and its aftermath.

"Thanks to our City’s continued commitment and generous support, and this new boost of federal funding, the New York City public hospital system will have the resources to expand access to treatment for the clean up workers, local business owners, students, families who lived Downtown, and the other children and adults who still struggle with the physical effects or the psychological and emotional trauma caused by this attack on the nation.

"We would like to particularly thank Senators Clinton and Schumer and Representatives Nadler, Lowey, Serrano and Walsh, and all the members of the New York Congressional delegation for supporting our efforts to seek this grant. Thanks to their persistence and advocacy, a portion of the $108 million that Congress appropriated this fiscal year for WTC health monitoring and treatment was specifically dedicated to non-responders."

Click here to learn more about HHC's WTC Environmental Health Center.