Each study is tagged with its design. Tap the tag to see what that kind of study can and can't tell you, or read how study designs work.
Newest · American Journal of Industrial Medicine · 2026
Nearly 40,000 Firefighters Have Joined the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer
Here's Who Signed Up, and Who's Still Missing.
Cross-sectionalWhat this kind of study can and can't tell you
This study: describes the 39,058 firefighters who participated during the first three years of NFR enrollment (January 2023 to December 2025), using frequencies and percentages. The NFR is designed for prospective follow-up; those results are not part of this paper.
Can show: what is common, and what tends to go together, at one point in time.
Can't show: what causes what, or which came first.
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.70112
Fire Safety Journal · 2026
Gear that fits women firefighters
New study identifies new PPC production imperatives: improvements reflect vast variety of physiques that exist among current fire service professionals.
Cross-sectionalWhat this kind of study can and can't tell you
This study: women firefighters' body measurements compared with the NFPA sizing standard.
Can show: what is common, and what tends to go together, at one point in time.
Can't show: what causes what, or which came first.
DOI: 10.1016/j.firesaf.2026.104768
Psychological Trauma · January 19, 2026
4-day retreat for PTSD, sleep and nightmares
New study: 4-day therapy retreat dramatically improves PTSD, insomnia, and nightmares in firefighters.
Randomized trialWhat this kind of study can and can't tell you
This study: a pilot trial. 49 firefighters were randomly assigned to start treatment right away or after a delay.
Can show: whether a treatment causes a change, because chance decides who gets it.
Can't show: how well it works for people unlike those studied. Small or pilot trials need a larger trial to confirm.
DOI: 10.1037/tra0002090
JOEM · January 19, 2026
What raises and lowers PFAS in firefighters
New study identifies key predictors of PFAS levels in U.S. career firefighters.
Cross-sectionalWhat this kind of study can and can't tell you
This study: blood PFAS measured once (2023 to 2024) in 2,056 career firefighters from the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study, plus surveys.
Can show: what is common, and what tends to go together, at one point in time.
Can't show: what causes what, or which came first.
DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003670