WTC Survivors: Lifestyle Medicine for aging adults
Official title: WTC Survivors: Lifestyle Medicine Study
Funded at New York University · NIH-11578731 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A compassionate, patient-friendly program tests a virtual 8-week lifestyle plan to improve health and well-being for older World Trade Center survivors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $243,709 |
| NIH project number | 1R21OH013146-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11578731 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Aging World Trade Center survivors aged 55 and older who have exposure-related health challenges and are interested in a virtual lifestyle intervention.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience significant health changes or may face barriers to engagement with a virtual program.
What this research studies
This project from NYU aims to help aging survivors (55+) by delivering an 8-week virtual lifestyle program focused on nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, substance use, and social connections. The team will first map current health behaviors and barriers, then work with survivors to design a tailored lifestyle plan that fits real-life routines and social factors. The study uses a structured framework to understand functioning and disability and to pilot the program with participants in mind. If successful, it could offer a practical, community-centered approach to better health for WTC survivors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience improved physical and mental health through a practical, personalized lifestyle program.
How similar studies have gone: Prior lifestyle medicine approaches show promise, but this project emphasizes tailoring to WTC survivors using lived experience.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Woolf, Kathleen — New York University
- Study coordinator: Woolf, Kathleen
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.