Never Forget the 9/11 Responders Who Risked Their Lives

Twenty-three years have passed since the attack on the World Trade Center, and like anyone in the New York area, there’s little that has escaped my memory.

I was headed back to my Chelsea home the day of the attack, desperately looking for a place to lend my support, which I did by volunteering at a nearby hospital. I joined a long line of medical professionals offering to do anything needed to help our fellow New Yorkers through the tragedy.

Later, I received a call from my own hospital on the Upper East Side, asking for me to come in — we were summoned for an “all hands on deck” scenario — so I did come in, by bike, because mass transit was shut down, like much of the city.

This spirit of collective action was clear in those early hours and days. People lined up to donate blood, resources poured in from across the globe, and construction workers from every corner of the city converged on Ground Zero, ready to lend their expertise.

I hope one day we can return to that spirit of unity, without the need for a tragedy to bring us together. I’ve seen nothing like it since.

This wave of selflessness fueled our efforts in the medical community. We knew the first responders, who had rushed into danger head first, would face long-term health consequences.

Initially, the media focus was on cancer, given the known presence of asbestos in the Twin Towers. However, we quickly realized that the acute symptoms, particularly respiratory issues, demanded immediate attention. Many responders presented with a persistent cough, inflamed sinuses, and difficulty breathing. Some, in peak physical condition before the attacks, found themselves unable to perform basic physical tasks in the aftermath. Walking up a flight of stairs had become impossible.

The city also witnessed a surge in cases of severe acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD), altered smell, and psychological distress, including anxiety and PTSD.

The dust cloud, a toxic mixture of pulverized glass, asbestos, and other poison particulates, had permeated every corner of Lower Manhattan. A gray smog blew through the canyon of buildings to the south of where the World Trade Center had stood.

Bronchoscopies revealed glass shards, particles, and asbestos lodged deep within the lungs of those at Ground Zero. Given the massive exposure, the microscopic particles bypassed the body’s natural defenses, leading to long-term health issues.

Securing funding for a dedicated World Trade Center health program became key. We knew that responders needed specialized care from clinicians who understood the unique nature of exposure-related illnesses. It was a national issue, demanding national attention. Those of us treating World Trade Center patients spent countless hours advocating on Capitol Hill, working tirelessly to ensure that these brave men and women received the care they deserved. The health program that began in 2002 did not have secure funding as the end of the first decade of the 2000s loomed.

Our efforts culminated in the launch of the World Trade Center Health Program in 2011, later extended in 2015. This program, a testament to the perseverance and dedication of countless individuals, has provided a lifeline for more than 125,000 responders and survivors. It ensures access to quality care, removes the burden of medical debt, and offers a sense of hope and support.

Our work, however, is far from over. We continue to see new patients, many of whom were unaware of the program or delayed seeking treatment. Our mission now is to raise awareness and ensure that every single person affected by the events of 9/11 knows that help is available.

It is our responsibility as New Yorkers and Americans to never forget. It’s also our responsibility as healthcare providers to never forget the thousands of responders and what they did in a moment of need for millions. That’s a commitment the healthcare industry and the federal government must make for the rest of our lives.

Jacqueline Moline, MD, MSc, is senior vice president of Occupational Medicine, Epidemiology, and Prevention at Northwell Health.

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