[Federal Register: November 26, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 228)]
[Notices]
[Page 66438-66439]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26no03-61]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-04-08]


Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and
Recommendations

    In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on
proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects.
To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a
copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call the CDC Reports
Clearance Officer on (404) 498-1210.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents,
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other
forms of information technology. Send comments to Seleda Perryman, CDC
Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D24,
Atlanta, GA 30333. Written comments should be received within 60 days
of this notice.
    Proposed Project: Evaluation of James A. Ferguson Emerging
Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program--New--National Center for
Infectious Diseases (NCID), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC).
    CDC is particularly concerned with the racial, ethnic, and gender
health disparities in the distribution of infectious diseases in the
U.S. To help address the health and well-being of minority and
underserved populations, CDC endeavors to train a racially and
ethnically diverse public health workforce. Since 1989, the James A.
Ferguson Emerging Infectious Disease Summer Fellowship Program, which
is administered by the Minority Health Professions Foundation (MHPF),
has been providing an 8-week program of educational and experiential
opportunities for racial and ethnic minority medical, dental, pharmacy,
veterinary, and public health graduate students. The Fellows are given
opportunities to explore the wide range of public health career options
available to them once their formal training is completed. As of summer
2003, 311 Fellows have completed the program.
    The purpose of this study is to conduct a multi-facet evaluation of
the Ferguson Fellowship Program. The data from this study will be used
to develop planning and decision making initiatives regarding expansion
and funding. The study aims to evaluate and measure the success of the
program for the dual purposes of program expansion and encouraging
other organizations to implement similar mechanisms to increase the
presence of racial and ethnic minorities in public health.
    Data for this study will be collected from relevant documents,
telephone interviews with key stakeholders, and a mail survey of
Ferguson Fellows.
    CDC proposes to conduct the study to (1) Examine the views and
perspectives of the constituents and their experiences with the
Ferguson Fellowship Program and (2) assess the impact of the program on
strengthening and diversifying the workforce and addressing racial and
ethnic health disparities in the field of Public Health. To minimize
respondent burden, the mail survey questionnaire will be carefully
developed with appropriate guidance from CDC to develop survey items
that are relevant and succinct.
    Prior to fielding the surveys, an evaluation contractor with
guidance from CDC, will select nine Fellows from

[[Page 66439]]

the universe of 311 Fellows to participate in pilot interviews by
telephone to determine the comprehensibility, appropriateness, and
general usability of the survey instrument. These interviews will be
conducted using verbal probing and concurrent ``think-aloud''
techniques in order to gain insight into the cognitive processes a
respondent uses to answer survey questions. These interviews help
minimize respondent burden by ensuring that each survey item is
comprehensible and reliable.
    The information obtained from this project will enable CDC to make
important decisions regarding the program's future expansion and
funding. Responses are voluntary. No proprietary items or questions of
sensitive nature will be collected. There is no cost to respondents.

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                                                                     Number of    Average burden
                      Form                           Number of     responses per   per response    Total burden
                                                    respondents     respondent      (in hours)      (in hours)
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Survey..........................................             311               1           30/60             156
    Total.......................................  ..............  ..............  ..............             156
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    Dated: November 19, 2003.
Laura Yerdon Martin,
Acting Director, Executive Secretariat, Centers for Disease and
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-29523 Filed 11-25-03; 8:45 am]

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