The Brian Lehrer Show 9/11's Lasting Health Effects
Sep 11, 2025
Steven Markowitz, an occupational medicine physician and director at the CUNY Barry Commoner Center, discusses the long-term health impacts of 9/11. He sheds light on the rise of cancer cases among survivors and responders, highlighting the effectiveness of the World Trade Center Health Program. Personal stories from callers emphasize the urgent need for ongoing health support, especially for undocumented workers involved in recovery. Markowitz also addresses the challenges in funding and staffing for health programs dedicated to those affected by the attacks.
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Cancer Becoming The Dominant 9/11 Health Burden
- Cancer cases among 9/11 survivors doubled in five years, outpacing other WTC-related conditions.
- Cancer is now the largest emerging health burden for responders and survivors.
Enroll For Superior Cancer Care
- Enroll in the World Trade Center Health Program to access specialized cancer care and screening.
- The program's cancer treatment produced better survival compared with similar New York State patients.
Don’t Wait To Claim Coverage
- If you are eligible and develop a covered cancer, the WTC Health Program will treat it regardless of proving causation.
- Prioritize enrollment because individual causation is often impossible to determine.