Friday marked the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York City. It’s both hard to believe that so much time has passed and remarkable how visceral the emotions are when recalling the images and stories of that terrible day in US history.
As I wrote previously, my father’s first home when reaching America was New York City. It always held a special place in his heart.
Research published in 2024 found that responders with the highest amount of exposure to the toxins in the dust and debris have up to a 14-fold increase in the risk of developing early-onset dementia, according to Neurology Today. A 2025 study which used MRI scans and an AI model found a connection between World Trade Center responders diagnosed with PTSD and accelerated brain aging, according to The Conversation.
9/11 first responders provide a large group to study as they age, and research findings are vital as first responders all around the world answer the call to help during both natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Right now, dementia is not one of the conditions covered by the World Trade Center Health Program, but advocates are hoping to change that as more research is published.
As Roberto Lucchini concluded in his article for The Conversation, as a society the best way we can honor the legacy of 9/11 first responders is by protecting those who come to the rescue of others.
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