Twenty-five years after the September 11th attacks, thousands of FDNY first responders are still contending with mental health conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a recent report. The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) report, released Tuesday, tracks the ongoing health of firefighters and emergency medical service providers who responded to Ground Zero.

Approximately 14% of FDNY firefighters and EMS providers in the WTCHP still experience depression, a decrease from the 36% who reported the condition a year after the attacks. Similarly, about 6% continue to suffer from PTSD, down from 16% in 2002.

Overall, 28% of FDNY members enrolled in the WTCHP have experienced at least one mental health condition. Despite these persistent challenges, the WTCHP highlighted that the observed improvements represent life-changing gains for those who have recovered.

Dr. David J. Prezant, speaking to reporters, noted the significant progress in mental health outcomes. "Our members had post-traumatic stress disorder from having been down there so long, having seen body parts, having lost their own friends, their own coworkers," he said. "Here on the mental health side, we’ve seen real improvement."

Furthermore, the report indicates a substantial rise in overall well-being among participants. "Eight out of 10 of our members now feel that their health, their overall health, has improved to either good, very good, or excellent," Prezant added. "That’s dramatic improvement in quality of life."

The WTCHP has been monitoring the health of first responders for 25 years, documenting ailments contracted from injuries, hazardous material exposure, and psychological trauma sustained during and after the 9/11 attacks. More than 14,000 first responders, including 12,158 firefighters and 1,920 EMS providers, continue to submit health data to the program, with approximately 84% still receiving WTCHP healthcare.

Cancer remains another significant health concern for these first responders. The report states that 26% of FDNY WTCHP members, totaling 4,257 individuals, have been diagnosed with cancer, with 461 new diagnoses in the past year alone. However, the program offers promising survival rates for those affected. An impressive 86% of cancer patients in the program are alive five years after diagnosis, compared to an estimated 63% for non-program participants in New York City.

Prezant attributed this improved survival rate to the WTCHP's holistic approach, emphasizing early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and the support from labor and management within the fire department. Despite these successes, the report also notes that advancing age is contributing to an increase in autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases, as well as cognitive and hearing conditions among first responders.