Print icon Print

Cardiovascular, Metabolic, and Digestive Health Publications

Expand AllCollapse All

2025

  • The association of Gastro-esophageal reflux disease and self-reported myocardial-infarction among World Trade Center disaster exposed persons
    • Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common among people exposed to the 9/11 disaster. This study looked at whether GERD is linked to heart attacks. Researchers followed over 13,000 people in the World Trade Center Health Registry from 2003 to 2020. They found that people with 9/11-related GERD had nearly twice the risk of reporting a heart attack compared to those without GERD, even after accounting for other health factors.
    • Brackbill, R., Ahmadi, A., Alper, H., Li, J., & Yu, S. (2025). The association of Gastro-esophageal reflux disease and self-reported myocardial-infarction among World Trade Center disaster exposed persons. Preventive Medicine Reports, 58, 103232.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2025.103232

2020

  • Housing stability and diabetes among people living in New York city public housing
    • Moving can impact health. This can happen due to changes in environment, social networks, and other neighborhood factors. We looked at moving among WTC Health Registry enrollees from 2004 to 2016. Displacement was when people moved to a more disadvantaged neighborhood. We found that the number of moves was not associated with common chronic diseases in this mostly urban cohort. The risks of diabetes and hypertension was similar between those who moved three times or more and those who never moved. Displacement was not associated with diabetes nor hypertension.
    • Lim, S., Liu, S. Y. (Sam), Jacobson, M. H., Poirot, E., Crossa, A., Locke, S., Brite, J., Hamby, E., Bailey, Z., & Farquhar, S. (2020). Housing stability and diabetes among people living in New York city public housing. SSM - Population Health, 11, 100605.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2020.100605
  • Residential mobility and chronic disease among World Trade Center Health Registry enrollees, 2004–2016
    • Few studies have looked into the long-term health effects of frequent moves within and across neighborhoods. This study examined how often people moved and displacement from a neighborhood over 12 years. Displacement was when people moved to a poorer neighborhood. We found that frequent moves was not associated with having a higher risk of developing diabetes or high blood pressure.
    • Jacobson, M., Crossa, A., Liu, S. Y., Locke, S., Poirot, E., Stein, C., & Lim, S. (2020). Residential mobility and chronic disease among World Trade Center Health Registry enrollees, 2004–2016. Health & Place, 61, 102270.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.102270

2018

  • Risk of stroke among survivors of the September 11, 2001 World Tradex Center disaster
    • A study of 42,527 people exposed to the World Trade Center disaster examined the risk of stroke after 9/11. People with PTSD had a 69% higher risk of stroke, while those exposed to heavy dust had a 29% higher risk. The risk was even higher among people who had both PTSD and heavy dust exposure. The findings suggest that severe stress and dust exposure may both contribute to stroke risk years after the attacks.
    • Yu, S., Alper, H. E., Nguyen, A.-M., & Brackbill, R. M. (2018). Risk of Stroke Among Survivors of the September 11, 2001, World Trade Center Disaster. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, 60(8), e371–e376.https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000001361

2016

  • Effect of asthma and PTSD on persistence and onset of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms among adults exposed to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks
    • Increased rates of GERS, asthma, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been frequently reported in those exposed to 9/11. Few studies have explored the interrelationships among these three conditions. Our study found that asthma and PTSD were each independently associated with both the persistence of GERS that was present at the time of 9/11, as well as development of GERS in persons without a prior history. Posttraumatic stress symptoms may also play a role in the association between asthma and late-onset GERS. These findings suggest that integrated physical and mental care could lessen the longer-term health effects of 9/11.
    • Li, J., Brackbill, R. M., Jordan, H. T., Cone, J. E., Farfel, M. R., & Stellman, S. D. (2016). Effect of asthma and PTSD on persistence and onset of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms among adults exposed to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 59(9), 805–814.https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22644

2014

  • Posttraumatic stress disorder and new-onset diabetes among adult survivors of the World Trade Center disaster
    • A study of over 36,000 Registry enrollees found that those who had PTSD when they joined in 2003-2004 were 30 percent more likely to develop diabetes six to eight years later than people without PTSD. One explanation is that chronic stress reactions caused by PTSD can, over time, cause the body’s cells to become resistant to insulin, causing sugar to build up in the bloodstream. PTSD has also been associated with unhealthy behaviors including poor diet and physical inactivity, both of which may increase the risk of developing diabetes.
    • Miller-Archie, S. A., Jordan, H. T., Ruff, R. R., Chamany, S., Cone, J. E., Brackbill, R. M., Kong, J., Ortega, F., & Stellman, S. D. (2014). Posttraumatic stress disorder and new-onset diabetes among adult survivors of the World Trade Center disaster. Preventive Medicine, 66, 34–38.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.05.016

2013

  • Cardiovascular disease hospitalizations in relation to exposure to the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center disaster and posttraumatic stress disorder
    • An exploratory study found that two to six years after the 9/11 disaster, measures of dust exposure, injury on 9/11 and PTSD each were associated with an elevated risk of non-fatal heart disease among adult enrollees.
    • Jordan, H. T., Stellman, S. D., Morabia, A., Miller‐Archie, S. A., Alper, H., Laskaris, Z., Brackbill, R. M., & Cone, J. E. (2013). Cardiovascular Disease Hospitalizations in Relation to Exposure to the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center Disaster and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Journal of the American Heart Association, 2(5), e000431.https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.113.000431

2011

  • Heart disease among adults exposed to the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center disaster: Results from the World Trade Center Health Registry
    • A study of more than 39,000 adults exposed to the World Trade Center disaster found that certain 9/11 experiences were linked to a higher risk of heart disease. People who were injured or exposed to heavy dust were more likely to develop heart disease. Those with PTSD also had a higher risk. The link between PTSD and heart disease became stronger as PTSD symptoms increased. These findings suggest that both physical and mental health effects of 9/11 may affect heart health.
    • Jordan, H. T., Miller-Archie, S. A., Cone, J. E., Morabia, A., & Stellman, S. D. (2011). Heart disease among adults exposed to the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center disaster: Results from the World Trade Center Health Registry. Preventive Medicine, 53(6), 370–376.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2011.10.014
  • Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and comorbid asthma and posttraumatic stress disorder following the 9/11 terrorist attacks on World Trade Center in New York City
    • A study of more than 37,000 people exposed to the World Trade Center disaster found that 20% developed new acid reflux symptoms after 9/11, and 13% had symptoms that lasted for years. Persistent symptoms were more common among people with asthma or PTSD. People who worked at the site longer, arrived early, or were exposed to heavy dust also had a higher risk. The findings suggest that disaster exposure may cause lasting digestive problems.
    • Li, J., Brackbill, R. M., Stellman, S. D., Farfel, M. R., Miller-Archie, S. A., Friedman, S., Walker, D. J., Thorpe, L. E., & Cone, J. (2011). Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms and Comorbid Asthma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks on World Trade Center in New York City. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 106(11), 1933–1941. https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2011.300