Effect of September 11th Terrorist Attacks on the Self-Reported Health Status of Department of Defense Health Care Beneficiaries

Abstract

This study examined the changes in the self-reported health status of Department of Defense health care beneficiaries associated with the September 11th terrorist attacks. Responses to a single-item, general health measure from pre- and post-September 11 quarterly survey events for the calendar year 2001 were analyzed to compare the unfavorable health response rates before and after the attacks. Increases in rates of unfavorable health status following the terrorist attacks were reported by the total population and 39 of 44 subgroups examined. Statistically significant increases in unfavorable health were reported by active duty personnel and dependents of active duty personnel; beneficiaries under the age of 44 years; beneficiaries affiliated with the Army and Marines; and beneficiaries in the Mid-Atlantic, Mid-West/Central, and Pacific Rim regions. These findings suggest that stress associated with the likelihood of being deployed or having a family member deployed following the terrorist attacks significantly contributed to the increase in unfavorable health response reported on the post-September 11 survey.

Does acute maternal stress in pregnancy affect infant health outcomes? Examination of a large cohort of infants born after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001

“…The authors hypothesized that this may have been due to an outpouring of national support for the military and first-responders, resulting in high job satisfaction and sense of purpose. Military families, however, may have had increased stress due to the chance of their loved ones being mobilized as first responders [ 38 ] and/or being deployed overseas [ 39 ].…”

Stress‐induced somatization in spouses of deployed and nondeployed servicemen

“…Linton, Hartzell, and Peterson (2004) studied the aftereffects of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the self-reported health status of DoD healthcare beneficiaries. Linton, Hartzell, and Peterson (2004) studied the aftereffects of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the self-reported health status of DoD healthcare beneficiaries.…”

“…Studies focusing on military family members are now beginning to emerge. Linton, Hartzell, and Peterson (2004) studied the aftereffects of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the self-reported health status of DoD healthcare beneficiaries. The researchers found significant increases in unfavorable health reported by both activeduty and dependents of active-duty military under the age of 44.…”

Mental Health Consequences of September 11: A Five-Year Review of the Behavioral Sciences Literature

“…When data gathered pre-9/11 was compared to data presented after the attacks, the majority of responses from the 13,843 completed questionnaires indicated a significant increase in unfavorable health. This study demonstrates the negative impact of 9/11 on the overall health status of service men and women and their families (Linton et al 2004). symptoms such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD and alcohol abuse were widespread, and that these Pentagon employees needed further screening and monitoring (Jordan et al 2004).…”