Wall Street Journal Profiles New York City’s Health Commissioner

In the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, the Oct. 12 Wall Street Journal profiles New York City's health commissioner, Dr. Neal Cohen. Serving as the head of the city's health department -- which includes overseeing some 5,000 employees and the city department of mental health and its 300 employees -- Dr. Cohen has "confronted problems that would tax Job." Since the Sept. 11 attacks, Dr. Cohen has been dealing with preparations for possible chemical attacks, "concerns" about asbestos, "possibly toxic" dust residue, and the "greater likelihood" of New Yorkers with post-traumatic stress. In recent days, his "highest priorit[y]" has been a possible biological threat, which could take the form of smallpox, anthrax or "even the plague." According to Dr. Cohen, one of the most "daunting challenge[s]" of a possible biological attack would be "actually finding people who are infected," as biological agents used in such an attack could cause an infection to spread "exponentially." Dr. Cohen said, "We have scenarios from quite small to very large, and we have to create scenarios that allow us to prophylact a large segment of the city. We have to be prepared for the worst."

Dealing With the Possibilities
In addition to a "biological crisis" the commissioner is faced with myriad concerns, including the possibility that the dust "coat[ing]" lower Manhattan could pose a "health hazard." The Journal reports that health officials, including Dr. Cohen, want to check apartments in the affected area "at random" for asbestos levels and "other potentially harmful particles." The measure would be in part to "allay the fears" of residents in the area, including those with respiratory disorders such as asthma. The commissioner also faces dealing with the psychological impact of the attacks, including concerns about researchers "champing at the bit" to begin studies of the victims and their families. Though not opposed to some of the research, Dr. Cohen would like to "exert some form of control over those who conduct it," possibly through a database of victims' "names and stories" that would limit researchers' contact with victims themselves (Lagnado, Wall Street Journal, 10/12).