CDC Highlights Lung Cancer Screening and Mortality Findings From WTC Health Program

A paper published in JAMA examines lessons from the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program in the quarter century since the September 11, 2001, attacks, according to a CDC announcement. Written by Program staff, it discusses longitudinal surveillance, preventive care and chronic disease management among disaster-exposed responders and survivors. The announcement does not specify study designs or sample sizes for the reported findings.

In 2024, 54% of eligible Program members meeting U.S. Preventive Services Task Force criteria underwent lung cancer screening. CDC compares this with a 7.5% national benchmark and an 18% U.S. screening rate in 2022. Program research also found 26%–64% lower mortality rates among enrolled responders with cancer than among other New York residents with cancer living in the same area, across cancer types including prostate, lung, kidney and colorectal cancer.

The findings highlight potential benefits of sustained monitoring and access to care after disaster exposure. However, the screening comparisons involve different years, and the announcement does not provide mortality adjustment methods, confidence intervals or cancer-specific estimates; the reported differences therefore do not establish a causal benefit from enrollment. Launched in 2011 and administered by NIOSH, the Program provides monitoring and treatment for certified WTC-related conditions without out-of-pocket costs and is authorized through 2090.