WTC Health Registry Follow-up Survey 2006

If you're among the 71,437 World Trade Center Health Registry (WTCHR) enrollees, then you are about to receive the Registry's Follow-up Survey 2006. This survey will be the first opportunity for enrollees to inform the Registry about their physical and mental health over the past two years.

I'm enrolled in the WTC Health Registry. How do I obtain the follow-up survey?

Starting this week, and continuing over the next six weeks or so, all enrollees will receive information about how they can take part in the survey.

All enrollees who provided an email address will receive an email with a link to the on-line version of the survey and can complete the survey on-line and print a copy of their responses.

Enrollees who did not provide an email address will be mailed a paper copy of the survey which should be completed and returned in the pre-paid return envelope. These enrollees will also receive instructions for completing the survey on-line if they prefer.

A specialized pediatric survey will be sent to parents and guardians of enrollees under 18 years of age.

What happens if I don't receive information about the survey in June 2006?

The survey will be sent out beginning this week and it will take several weeks to send information to all 71,000 enrollees. However, if you are enrolled in the Registry and have not received information about the follow-up survey by the end of June, please do contact Registry staff so that we may send you the survey. You may reach Registry staff via email at wtchr@health.nyc.gov , or at (212) 442-1585 or toll-free 1-866-NYC-WTCR (866-692-9827).

Why is the information I provide in the follow-up survey important?

The more enrollees who continue to participate in follow-up surveys, the better the Registry will be at assessing the health impacts of the 9/11 disaster and determining how to help enrollees and others who were directly affected by 9/11.

How long will the survey take to complete?

The survey takes about 15-30 minutes to complete.

What questions will be asked in the survey?

The follow-up survey includes many of the same health questions from the initial interviews done in 2003-2004. It will also include additional questions to clarify information from the first survey as well as new questions for specific groups in the Registry.

What will happen to the responses I provide in the follow-up survey?

Your responses are protected by a Federal Certificate of Confidentiality. Your responses to this survey will be linked to your responses to the 2003/4 survey. Responses to the survey will provide an update on the current physical and mental health of the 71,000 enrollees five years after the events of 9/11.

I am not enrolled in the WTC Health Registry, but I would like to enroll and complete the follow-up survey. How do I do enroll?

The follow-up survey is being sent only to those individuals who enrolled in the Registry by completing a 30-minute telephone interview in 2003/2004. At this time, enrollment in the Registry is now closed.

Findings from the WTC Health Registry will be valuable not only to the enrollees but also to others who were directly affected by 9/11. Data and results from the Registry are available at www.wtcregistry.org .

What information is available on the Registry's website?

The Registry's website www.wtcregistry.org contains information that may be helpful or of interest to you including:

• Registry reports and scientific publications of health findings to-date
• An updated Resource Guide (March 2006) that includes information about over 70 organizations that provide 9/11-related services and resources, including medical treatment and screening, scholarships, and other information.
• The latest WTCHR Newsletter (April 2006) that includes additional information about the follow-up survey, FAQ's, How to Contact WTCHR staff, and a reminder to please make sure we have your updated contact information (e.g., address, telephone number, and email address)