Former NIOSH employee details how federal funding cuts could impact Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — As funding cuts continue to have an impact across the country, Anita Wolfe, who's retired from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) Morgantown location, sat down with 12 News to discuss the importance of the NIOSH Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP).
According to Wolfe, the CWHSP is a free program to miners that came about as part of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act, which was signed by former President Richard Nixon in 1969.
Through this program, miners are offered a free chest x-ray and a spirometry test to measure their lung capacity and determine whether there are any obstructions or restrictions in their breathing. Wolfe stated that miners are eligible for this free testing every five years.
Miners are able to participate in this program either through a clinic NIOSH has approved to do x-rays for them, or through the NIOSH mobile x-ray units. The mobile x-ray units travel through the Appalachian Coalfield, informing eligible miners that they'll be in the area by way of a letter.
However, Wolfe stated that if somebody does not receive a letter and sees the mobile unit in town, they can come by and NIOSH will assist with getting the paperwork done so that they can receive their free screenings. Wolfe added that at this time, NIOSH hasn't received any word that the program may be cut, but they're trying to be 'proactive' instead of 'reactive.'
'It would be really devastating, I think, if the program were cut because coal miners work many long hours,' said Wolfe. 'A lot of them don't really go to the doctor very much. This program is a way for them to get a good health checkup free and the results only come to them.'
According to Wolfe, the results from the screenings don't come back to any of the companies involved or anybody else outside of the miner. These screenings are not affiliated with the Black Lung Program, but Wolfe stated that a miner could use their results to possibly apply for a benefit package with the organization.
Wolfe added that the NIOSH mobile unit sees a great number of coal miners, with many of them sharing that they don't go to the doctor regularly or just wait for the truck to come into town. With that being said, she feels it would be 'very very detrimental' if the program was eliminated, especially here in Appalachia.
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'The reason I say that is that the rates of disease in Appalachia are the highest of anywhere in the nation, and we're seeing here in Appalachia young miners—very young miners that are getting the disease already,' said Wolfe. 'Used to be called an 'old man's disease'…and now we have miners in their late thirties, early forties with the disease.'
At this time, NIOSH doesn't know for certain if this program will be cut. However, Wolfe said that there are concerns that it could be in the future, and she's calling on the community to help out and ensure that does not happen.
'It's a great program,' said Wolfe. 'It's confidential to the miners as far as their results, and we just need to do everything we can to get the word to our senators and our congressmen that we want this program retained.'
The CWHSP is part of the NIOSH facility in Morgantown, which is where the program is officially housed. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, so the CWHSP is covered by CDC federal funding, according to Wolfe.
'The tax dollars are paying for this, so I always tell the miners 'participate in this,'' said Wolfe. 'You're paying for it, you know?'
People in the community who want to help support the CWHSP can contact West Virginia's senators and put in a good word for the program. Wolfe has put together a draft letter that can be used, and if you reach out to her via email at anitawolfe2010@gmail.com, she'll send it over to you.
Although Wolfe is retired from the NIOSH and no longer works with the program, she wanted to publicly take a stand because she believes in the CWHSP very much. 'I've seen it save lives and do so much good that I just felt like I had to do something to try to make sure this program stays and miners still have this benefit,' she added.
If anyone has any questions about the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program, or a miner wants to know whether or not they're eligible, you can directly call the program at (304) 285-5724 or send an email to CWHSP@cdc.gov.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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