Immediate and long term mental health injuries among evacuees of the World Trade Center on 9/11/01

Most occupants of the WTC successfully evacuated the buildings on 9/11/01; however, many sustained injuries in the process. A convenience sample of 1444 WTC evacuees completed a survey questionnaire (24-30 months after the event) which aimed to examine individual, environmental and organizational factors that helped or hindered the evacuation. This study also collected data regarding immediate and long term injuries and where people sought care for these injuries.

Thirty-seven percent (37%, n=531) of evacuees sustained at least one injury during the evacuation; of these, psychological trauma was most commonly reported (24.7% of all injuries, n=131). Participants were also asked about long term health problems (LTHP) and 221 persons (15.4% of the total sample) reported having at least one LTHP. Again, psychological trauma was the most commonly reported problem, with 53% (n=132) of all persons with a LTHP identifying this type of long term injury. Factors related to reporting a long term psych/mental health injury mainly centered on preexisting health conditions, including: existing mental health problem (OR 10.68, CI5.96-19.15); non-specified health condition or disability (OR 6.02, CI3.64-9.94); sensory deficit, (OR 4.83, CI2.02-11.52) or respiratory condition (OR 4.62, CI2.73-7.83). Most sought care from a community based primary care or mental health provider.

The most frequently reported immediate and long term injury among evacuees was psychological insult/injury. Most injured individuals sought care from their community based personal physician or mental health counselor. Mental health first aid and ongoing mental health services need to be given priority during planning for disaster health services.