Company: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health Registry
Company background: The World Trade Center Health Registry researchers track and investigate possible trends in illness and recovery. Our reports are used to help create guidelines that can save lives and reduce injuries in future disaster settings. Through our Treatment Referral Program, we help enrollees get the 9/11-related medical monitoring and treatment they need. The Registry continues its mission to better understand the long-term physical and mental health effects of 9/11, and to identify gaps in health care for all those affected.
Contact: Caleb Ayers
Title: City Research Scientist
Country: United States
Award Category: Community Uplift Award
Tell how you've used SAS to have a positive impact on your community?
I use SAS to study survivors of the World Trade Center attacks on 9/11. I primarily research cancer and mortality in this population. Studying what exposures and trauma from the disaster lead to adverse health outcomes helps my NYC community be more prepared for future disaster response.
What SAS products are you using and how are you using them?
I use Base SAS Software (SAS 9.4 for Windows) to analyze data from the World Trade Center Health Registry, a database of over 74,000 9/11 survivors with data on exposures and physical/mental health outcomes/behaviors. I use SAS for descriptive reporting and statistical modeling causal inference.
What was your most surprising discovery about your work?
I explore the differences between individuals who access federally-funded 9/11-related healthcare and those who do not. Many minority statuses are associated with a lack of access, but surprisingly, those with lower education access this care more, suggesting equity in the program.
