Northwell Health Reports Surge in 9/11-Related Cancers, Highlighting Long-Term Health Crisis
Event summary
- Northwell Health reports a 75% increase in 9/11-related cancer cases among WTC Health Program enrollees from 2023 to 2025, with 811 new cases in 42 months.
- Prostate and skin cancers are most common, followed by breast and urinary tract cancers, with a twofold increase in lung cancer in just five years.
- Northwell's WTC Health Program has documented over 57,000 cancer cases, with 30% of enrollees battling cancer.
- The average age of Northwell’s WTC patients is 63, with a cancer crisis unfolding in their ranks.
- Northwell Health is one of seven federally funded New York Metro organizations treating responders at its clinic in Rego Park, Queens.
The big picture
Northwell Health's report underscores the long-term health consequences of the 9/11 attacks, with a shift from respiratory diseases to a rising tide of cancers. This ongoing crisis highlights the need for sustained medical monitoring and treatment for the approximately 145,000 enrollees in the WTC Health Program. The surge in cancer cases also raises questions about the adequacy of current healthcare infrastructure and funding to address the evolving health needs of 9/11 responders and survivors.
What we're watching
- Cancer Trends
- Whether the pace of 9/11-related cancer diagnoses will continue to rise as the exposed population ages.
- Healthcare Capacity
- How Northwell Health and other providers will manage the increasing demand for specialized cancer care.
- Policy Response
- The extent to which federal and state governments will expand funding and resources for the WTC Health Program.