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Birth, Child, and Adolescent Health Publications

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2022

  • Scientific Value of the Sub-Cohort of Children in the World Trade Center Health Registry
    • This paper compared the children in the Registry to all children in Lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001. We found that the Registry children are similar by age and sex to all children. Black and Hispanic children are slightly over-represented and Asian children are under-represented. This study shows it would be unnecessary to create a new Registry of 9/11 children more than 20 years after September 11, 2001. 
    • Brackbill, R. M., Butturini, E., Cone, J. E., Ahmadi, A., Daniels, R. D., Farfel, M. R., & Kubale, T. (2022). Scientific Value of the Sub-Cohort of Children in the World Trade Center Health Registry. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(19), 12461. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912461
  • Exposure to the World Trade Center disaster and test performance among New York City public school students over time, 1998–2003
    • This study looked at whether the WTC disaster affected on math and English language arts (ELA) test scores among New York City (NYC) public school students. Test scores over five years from 1998 to 2003 from the NYC Department of Education were used in this study. Among students exposed to the WTC attacks, there were no changes in test scores after 9/11 exposure. Students in unexposed schools increased the scores on ELA exams after 9/11, but with small decreases in math test scores after 9/11. Futures studies should at changes in education outcome over longer periods of time. 
    • Takemoto, E., Locke, S., Goin, D. E., Casey, J. A., Giesinger, I., Farfel, M., Alper, H., & Brackbill, R. (2022). Exposure to the World Trade Center disaster and test performance among New York City public school students over time, 1998–2003. SSM - Mental Health, 2, 100096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmmh.2022.100096

2021

  • Hospitalizations among World Trade Center Health Registry Enrollees Who Were under 18 Years of Age on 9/11, 2001–2016
    • Many studies were on why adults were in hospital after 9/11, but few were on children. Young enrollees were linked to NYS data to identify hospitalizations. We studied what link to their hospitalization. 3151 of them were less than 18 years old on 9/11 in the Registry, 7.7% of them had one 9/11 related physical health hospitalization or more. 8.9% of them had one 9/11 related mental health hospitalization or more. Non-White race, living in public housing, 9/11 dust cloud exposure, and PTSD were linked to be hospitalized for a 9/11-related physical condition. Older age and PTSD were linked hospitalized for a 9/11-related mental condition. It’s important to know the factors that have long-term 9/11 effects on the minors. 
    • Gargano, L. M., Locke, S. H., Alper, H. E., & Brite, J. (2021). Hospitalizations among World Trade Center Health Registry Enrollees Who Were under 18 Years of Age on 9/11, 2001–2016. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(14), 7527. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147527

2018

  • Behavior Problems in Adolescence and Subsequent Mental Health in Early Adulthood: Results from the World Trade Center Health Registry Cohort
    • A study of 297 people who were children during 9/11 examined whether behavior problems in their teens affected mental health as adults. About 17% had borderline or serious behavior problems as teenagers. As adults, these people were more likely to smoke, have PTSD, depression, or two or more mental health conditions. The findings suggest that behavior problems after a traumatic event may continue into adulthood. Early support for children may help prevent long-term mental health problems.
    • Gargano, L. M., Locke, S., Li, J., & Farfel, M. R. (2018b). Behavior problems in adolescence and subsequent mental health in early adulthood: Results from the World Trade Center Health Registry Cohort. Pediatric Research, 84(2), 205–209. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-018-0050-8
  • Adolescent Behavior Problems Related to the 9/11 Disaster and the Risk of Behavior Problems and Mental Health Disorders in Adulthood
    • A study followed people who were exposed to 9/11 as children to see if behavior problems during adolescence were linked to health problems in adulthood. Of 297 people, 16.8% had borderline or abnormal behavior scores as teenagers. These individuals were more likely to become regular smokers and were also more likely to have PTSD, depression, or multiple mental health conditions as adults. The findings suggest that early support for children affected by disasters may help prevent smoking and mental health problems later in life.
    • Gargano, L. M., Locke, S., Li, J., & Farfel, M. (2018a). Adolescent Behavior Problems Related to the 9/11 Disaster and the Risk of Behavior Problems and Mental Health Disorders in Adulthood. Journal of Adolescent Health, 62(2), S15–S16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.11.032

2017

  • Psychological distress in parents and school-functioning of adolescents: results from the World Trade Center Health Registry
    • Poor school-functioning can be a consequence of poor parent or adolescent mental health or adolescent behavior problems. This study examined the relationships between parent and adolescent mental health, adolescent behavior problems, and adolescent unmet healthcare need (UHCN) on school-functioning. Family WTC-exposure was associated with UHCN only by acting through parental mental health. Adolescent mental health, behavioral problems, UHCN, and parental mental health all effected school-functioning. Interventions for poor school-functioning should have multiple components which address UHCN, mental health and behavioral problems, as efforts to address any of these alone may not be sufficient.
    • Gargano, L. M., Dechen, T., Cone, J. E., Stellman, S. D., & Brackbill, R. M. (2017). Psychological Distress in Parents and School-Functioning of Adolescents: Results from the World Trade Center Registry. Journal of Urban Health, 94(5), 597–605. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-017-0143-4
  • Parent physical and mental health comorbidity and adolescent behavior
    • Previous Registry findings showed that exposure to the 9/11-disaster was associated with behavior problems in adolescents 6-7 years after the event. In addition, 9/11-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among parents has been associated with behavior problems in their adolescent. This study examined behavior problems in adolescents 10-11 years after 9/11. Even 10-11 years later, adolescents with moderate/severe 9/11-exposure were more likely to have behavior problems. Adolescents whose parent had comorbid 9/11-related PTSD and at least one other chronic health condition were more likely to have behavior problems then adolescents whose parents had 9/11-related PTSD only or chronic health condition only. Parents who reported 14 or more poor mental health days were more likely to have an adolescent with behavior problems.
    • Gargano, L. M., Locke, S., & Brackbill, R. M. (2017). Parent Physical and Mental Health Comorbidity and Adolescent Behavior. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience, 19(2). https://doi.org/10.4172/1522-4821.1000358 

2016

  • Asthma control in adolescents 10 to 11 years after exposure to the World Trade Center Disaster
    • Little is known about asthma control in adolescents who were exposed to the World Trade Center (WTC) attacks of 9/11/2001 and diagnosed with asthma after 9/11. This study examined asthma and asthma control 10-11 years after 9/11 among exposed adolescents. Similar to previous studies, post 9/11 asthma was associated with dust cloud exposure on 9/11. Poorly/very poorly controlled asthma was significantly higher among adolescent living in a household with income of ≤$75,000, had unmet healthcare needs, and who screened positive for at least one mental health condition. The impact of having at least one mental health condition on the level of asthma control was substantially greater in females than in males.
    • Gargano, L. M., Thomas, P. A., & Stellman, S. D. (2017). Asthma control in adolescents 10 to 11 y after exposure to the World Trade Center disaster. Pediatric Research, 81(1), 43–50. https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2016.190
  • Reproductive outcomes following maternal exposure to the events of September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center, in New York City
    • A study of 3,360 births in New York City examined whether exposure to the September 11 attacks affected pregnancy outcomes. About 5.8% of babies had low birth weight, 6.5% were born early, and 9% were smaller than expected for their age. Mothers who had several 9/11 exposures, worked in rescue or recovery, or later developed PTSD had a higher risk of early birth and low birth weight. The findings suggest disasters may affect pregnancy for years.
    • Maslow, C. B., Caramanica, K., Li, J., Stellman, S. D., & Brackbill, R. M. (2016). Reproductive Outcomes Following Maternal Exposure to the Events of September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center, in New York City. American Journal of Public Health, 106(10), 1796–1803. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2016.303303 
  • Substance use in adolescents 10 years after the World Trade Center Attacks in New York City
    • This study examined prevalence of and factors associated with substance use 10-11 years post-9/11 among adolescents in the World Trade Center Health Registry. Adolescents who witnessed a disturbing event on 9/11 were twice as likely to report ever drinking and almost three times as likely to have ever used marijuana. Among those ≥5 years of age on 9/11, fear for personal safety on 9/11 was significantly associated with having ever smoked cigarettes, ever drank, and ever used marijuana. Intervention and education for adolescents particularly focused on substance use and coping strategies, may be warranted after large-scale disasters.
    • Gargano, L. M., Welch, A. E., & Stellman, S. D. (2017). Substance Use in Adolescents 10 Years After the World Trade Center Attacks in New York City. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 26(1), 66–74. https://doi.org/10.1080/1067828X.2016.1210551 

2015

  • Adolescent behavior and PTSD 6-7 years after the World Trade Center Disaster in New York City
    • A study of 489 teenagers who were children during the September 11 attacks found that 17.4% had borderline or serious behavior problems years later. Problems were more common among teens from low-income families, minority groups, and single-parent homes. Teens who had direct exposure to the World Trade Center or lost or injured a family member had more behavioral and emotional problems. Teens were also more likely to have PTSD if a parent had PTSD, showing the lasting effects of the disaster on families.
    • Mann, M., Li, J., Farfel, M. R., Maslow, C. B., Osahan, S., & Stellman, S. D. (2014). Adolescent behavior and PTSD 6–7 years after the World Trade Center terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Disaster Health, 2(3–4), 121–129. https://doi.org/10.1080/21665044.2015.1010931

2013

  • Respiratory health of 985 children exposed to the World Trade Center disaster: Report on World Trade Center Health Registry Wave 2 follow-up, 2007-2008
    • Respiratory symptoms six to seven years after 9/11 were associated with 9/11 dust cloud exposure in younger children and with behavior problems in adolescents. Other risk factors for respiratory symptoms included living in low-income households.
    • Stellman, S. D., Thomas, P. A., S. Osahan, S., Brackbill, R. M., & Farfel, M. R. (2013). Respiratory Health of 985 Children Exposed to the World Trade Center Disaster: Report on World Trade Center Health Registry Wave 2 Follow-up, 2007–2008. Journal of Asthma, 50(4), 354–363. https://doi.org/10.3109/02770903.2013.776073 

2010

  • Birth outcomes among offspring of women exposed to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks
    • A study compared 446 births from women exposed to the September 11 attacks with more than 49,000 births from women living farther away. The study found no major differences in birth weight or pregnancy length between the groups. However, women who developed PTSD after the attacks were about 2.5 times more likely to have a baby with low birth weight or to give birth early, showing that stress may affect pregnancy health.
    • Lipkind, H. S., Curry, A. E., Huynh, M., Thorpe, L. E., & Matte, T. (2010). Birth Outcomes Among Offspring of Women Exposed to the September 11, 2001, Terrorist Attacks. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 116(4), 917–925. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181f2f6a2 

2008

  • Respiratory and other health effects reported in children exposed to the World Trade Center disaster of 11 September 2001
    • A study of 3,184 children in the World Trade Center Health Registry found that 53% had new or worsening breathing problems after the September 11 attacks, and 5.7% were newly diagnosed with asthma. Nearly half of the children were exposed to the dust cloud, which was strongly connected to new asthma cases. Children younger than 5 had higher asthma rates than the national average. These findings suggest that the disaster had lasting effects on children’s breathing health.
    • Thomas, P. A., Brackbill, R., Thalji, L., DiGrande, L., Campolucci, S., Thorpe, L., & Henning, K. (2008). Respiratory and Other Health Effects Reported in Children Exposed to the World Trade Center Disaster of 11 September 2001. Environmental Health Perspectives, 116(10), 1383–1390. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.11205