Investigating the mental health and employment of World Trade Center responders
Official title: WTC-Work Study: World Trade Center Non-Traditional Responders' Employment and Mental Health
Funded at Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-10903699 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the work conditions of construction and transportation workers who responded to the World Trade Center disaster affect their mental health, with the aim of finding ways to improve their workplace policies and support their well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $239,647 |
| NIH project number | 5R21OH012626-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10903699 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are non-traditional responders who worked at the World Trade Center site, particularly those in construction, electrical, and transportation roles.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who were not involved in the World Trade Center response efforts or who do not have mental health concerns related to their employment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the mental health and employment conditions of non-traditional responders to the World Trade Center disaster, including construction and transportation workers. It aims to understand how their work environments and employment policies impact their mental health and overall well-being. By utilizing longitudinal data from the WTC General Responder Cohort, the study will explore the relationship between job conditions and mental health outcomes, providing insights into potential interventions. The goal is to identify effective strategies to improve workplace policies that support mental health among these responders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved workplace policies that enhance the mental health and well-being of World Trade Center responders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that workplace interventions can significantly improve mental health outcomes, suggesting that this approach may be effective for World Trade Center responders as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peters, Susan Elizabeth — Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Peters, Susan Elizabeth
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.