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Report on Alcohol Use Disorder Among 9/11 Survivors and its Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

A recent study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence reveals significantly elevated rates of alcohol abuse among survivors of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. These findings present a critical public health challenge, directly impacting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. This report analyzes the study’s findings and their implications for SDG 3, as well as related goals concerning peace and community resilience.

Key Findings on Alcohol Consumption Patterns

The study, which surveyed 18,332 enrollees of the World Trade Center Health Registry, identified alarming rates of binge and heavy drinking, key indicators of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The comparison with the general U.S. population underscores a significant public health disparity affecting this trauma-exposed group.

• Binge Drinking: Defined as consuming five or more drinks on one occasion.
  • 9/11 Survivor Rate: 42.2%
  • General U.S. Population Rate: 20.1%
• Heavy Drinking: Defined as 15+ drinks per week for men or 8+ for women.
  • 9/11 Survivor Rate: 24.1%
  • General U.S. Population Rate: 5.0%

Link to Mental Health and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The research establishes a strong correlation between the trauma of the 9/11 attacks and subsequent substance use. This aligns with broader clinical evidence on the co-occurrence of PTSD and AUD.

1. Trauma as a Precursor: The study notes that exposure to the attacks is strongly associated with increased alcohol usage among diverse groups, including first responders, residents, and recovery workers.
2. Co-occurring Disorders: The authors highlight that approximately two-thirds of individuals with PTSD develop a co-occurring substance use disorder. This connection is central to understanding the health crisis within the survivor community and is a critical focus area for SDG 3’s target on promoting mental health and well-being.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The elevated prevalence of AUD among 9/11 survivors directly undermines progress toward SDG 3. The findings emphasize the need for targeted public health strategies to address the long-term consequences of trauma.

• Mental and Physical Health Integration: The high rates of co-occurring PTSD and AUD necessitate integrated healthcare services that address both mental health and substance abuse, a key component of a comprehensive approach to well-being.
• Long-Term Support Systems: Achieving health and well-being for all requires sustained support for populations affected by catastrophic events, ensuring access to continuous care long after the initial incident.

SDG 11 & SDG 16: Sustainable Cities and Peaceful Societies

The health outcomes detailed in the report also reflect on broader development goals.

• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The lasting impact on the health of Lower Manhattan residents and workers highlights the need for resilient urban health infrastructure capable of responding to and managing the long-term human consequences of disasters.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The study serves as a stark reminder that failures in peace and security have profound and enduring public health consequences. Supporting victims of violence and terrorism is a fundamental aspect of building peaceful and just societies, requiring strong institutional frameworks like the World Trade Center Health Registry.

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article

   The primary Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) addressed in the article is:

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

     The article directly connects to SDG 3 by focusing on significant health challenges faced by a specific population. It highlights issues of substance abuse (harmful use of alcohol) and mental health disorders (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) among survivors of the September 11 attacks. The core theme is the long-term negative impact of a traumatic event on the physical and mental well-being of individuals, which is a central concern of SDG 3.

2. Specific SDG Targets Identified

   Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets under SDG 3 can be identified:

   • Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being

     This target aims to “reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.” The article strongly supports this target by discussing the mental health consequences of the 9/11 attacks. It explicitly states, “Elevated prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)… is commonly correlated with substance use disorder (SUD).” This focus on PTSD as a root cause of further health issues directly relates to the need to promote mental health and well-being among affected populations.

   • Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse

     This target calls to “strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.” The article is centered on this target. It provides detailed statistics on the “harmful use of alcohol” by defining and quantifying “binge drinking” and “heavy drinking” among 9/11 survivors. The study’s entire purpose is to highlight the significantly higher rates of these behaviors in the survivor group compared to the general population, underscoring the need for targeted prevention and treatment of alcohol abuse.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

   The article provides specific data and mentions conditions that can be used as indicators to measure progress towards the identified targets:

   • Indicators for Target 3.5 (Substance Abuse)

     The article provides direct, measurable indicators for the harmful use of alcohol:

     • Prevalence of binge drinking: The article defines this as “consuming five or more drinks… on one occasion within the last 30 days” and reports a rate of “approximately 42.2 percent” among the survivor group.
     • Prevalence of heavy drinking: This is defined as “consuming 15 or more drinks per week for men or eight or more drinks per week for women,” with a reported rate of “24.1 percent” in the study population.

     These percentages are concrete indicators used to measure the extent of alcohol abuse, directly aligning with the monitoring needs for Target 3.5.

   • Indicator for Target 3.4 (Mental Health)

     While the article does not provide a specific statistic for PTSD prevalence in the study group, it strongly implies its importance as a key indicator:

     • Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): The article explicitly identifies the “Elevated prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)” as a primary consequence of the 9/11 attacks and a direct correlate with Alcohol Use Disorder. Measuring the prevalence of PTSD within this group is therefore an implied indicator of their overall mental health and well-being status, which is central to Target 3.4.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being.	Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including… harmful use of alcohol.	Prevalence of binge drinking (reported at 42.2%). Prevalence of heavy drinking (reported at 24.1%).

Source: ebroadsheet.com