Northwell Health reports 75% rise in 9/11-related cancers over three years
Northwell Health announced a 75% increase in cancers linked to 9/11 exposure over the last three years, with 132 new cases recorded in the first half of 2026.
Northwell Health officials disclosed a dramatic 75% jump in cancers tied to 9/11 exposure during the past three years, noting 132 new diagnoses in early 2026 alone. In total, 800 cases have been added in the last 42 months, raising the program’s count from 177 in 2023 to at least 235 in 2025. Since the WTC health program began in 2013, cumulative cases climbed from 1,630 in its first decade to 2,445 by June, affecting just under 1,500 patients.
The announcement coincided with Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s release of 170,000 pages of long-kept documents that suggest city officials may have misled the public about post-attack air quality. Dr. Jacqueline Moline, director of the WTC Health Program, emphasized the need to continue caring for those exposed to the dust and fumes. The surge reflects a broader trend, with confirmed cancer cases among survivors and nearby residents soaring from 3,204 in 2015 to over 57,000 this year.
Why it matters
The surge shows a growing public-health crisis for 9/11 survivors and responders.
How this story developed
- Sep 5 Nearly 5,900 9/11-related cancer deaths and over 57,000 diagnoses reported
- Sep 8 Mayor Mamdani released 170,000 pages of internal records on Ground Zero air‑quality claims.
- Sep 9 The released collection includes the October 2001 “Harding memo” that acknowledges the city’s awareness of toxic risks and potential litigation.
- Sep 10 Mayor Mamdani settled two lawsuits that had limited public access to the 9/11 air‑quality records.
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