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Mental and Physical Health Consequences of the September 11, 2001 (9/11) Attacks in Primary Care: A Longitudinal Study
Author(s) -
Neria Yuval,
Wickramaratne Priya,
Olfson Mark,
Gameroff Marc J.,
Pilowsky Daniel J.,
Lantigua Rafael,
Shea Steven,
Weissman Myrna M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.21767
Subject(s) - mental health , longitudinal study , suicidal ideation , psychiatry , medicine , cohort study , depression (economics) , cohort , poison control , suicide prevention , psychology , clinical psychology , gerontology , environmental health , pathology , economics , macroeconomics
The magnitude of the September 11, 2001 (9/11) attacks was without precedent in the United States, but long‐term longitudinal research on its health consequences for primary care patients is limited. We assessed the prevalence and exposure‐related determinants of mental disorders, functioning, general medical conditions, and service utilization, 1 and 4 years after the 9/11 attacks, in an urban primary care cohort ( N = 444) in Manhattan. Although the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and levels of functional impairment declined over time, a substantial increase in suicidal ideation and missed work was observed. Most medical outcomes and service utilization indicators demonstrated a short‐term increase after the 9/11 attacks (mean change of +20.3%), followed by a minor decrease in the subsequent year (mean change of −3.2%). Loss of a close person was associated with the highest risk for poor mental health and functional status over time. These findings highlight the importance of longitudinal assessments of mental, functional, and medical outcomes in urban populations exposed to mass trauma and terrorism.