The unprecedented attacks of 9/11, 2001 resulted in high rates of PTSD in the months following the attacks. Little information exists on the long-term effects of 9/11 in high-risk immigrant urban populations.

We will present findings from an NIMH funded longitudinal study aimed to estimate the prevalence, comorbidity, disability, mental health treatment and service utilization associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a systematic sample of economically disadvantaged adult, mostly Latino immigrant, primary care patients (n=720) in New York City interviewed approximately 1 and 5 years after attacks of September 11, 2001.

The presentation will focus on: 1) trajectories of 9/11 PTSD; 2) risk and protective factors for the development and persistence of 9/11 PTSD; 2) the role of ethnicity and acculturation in the expression of physical and mental symptoms; and 3) the role of post- disaster social support, and secondary stressors, in mediating the disaster effects.

Our findings will highlight the specific needs for mental health care associated with long term post-disaster psychopathology among high risk populations and will underscore the importance of developing evidence based post-disaster care, including screening and treatment capacities for individuals exposed to trauma in general medical practices.