Impact of 9/11‐related chronic conditions and PTSD comorbidity on early retirement and job loss among World Trade Center disaster rescue and recovery workers. Issue 9 (September 2016) - Yu, Shengchao
Abstract : Background: The economic impact of the 9/11 terrorist attacks has rarely been studied. We examined the association between 9/11‐related chronic health conditions with or without post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and one important aspect of the economic impact, retirement, and job loss before age 60. Methods: A total of 7, 662 workers who participated in the World Trade Center Health Registry surveys were studied. Logistic regression models examined the association of 9/11‐related health and labor force exit. Results: Workers with chronic conditions were more likely to experience early retirement and job loss, and the association was stronger in the presence of PTSD comorbidity: the odds ratios for reporting early retirement or job loss were increased considerably when chronic conditions were comorbid with PTSD. Conclusions: Disaster‐related health burden directly impacts premature labor force exit and income. Future evaluation of disaster outcome should include its long‐term impact on labor force. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:731–741, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.