[Federal Register: April 17, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 74)]
[Notices]               
[Page 18983-18984]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17ap03-75]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60 Day-03-60]

 
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 Dale Verell, 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

    International Performance Standards Project--New--Public Health 
Practice Program Office (PHPPO), Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC).
    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Public Health 
Practice Program Office (PHPPO), is proposing to implement a required 
data collection to:
    a. Assess public health preparedness of countries to respond to a 
public health threat or emergency.
    b. Assess progress of countries towards (1) identifying any gaps 
that need to be strengthened in their public health systems, (2) 
achieving the critical and enhanced capacities of their public health 
systems, and (3) setting optimal standards for system performance that 
will enhance the delivery of public health services.
    c. Identify the focus of future proposed work plans, as well as 
help countries develop a public health research agenda.
    d. Provide a consistent framework for each country to characterize 
the status of its public health infrastructure.
    This assessment will use the International Instrument for 
performance measurement of Essential Public Health Functions. This 
instrument is used for rapid assessment of capacity at the level of the 
National Health Authority of countries to respond to public health 
threats and emergencies. This instrument focuses on the six areas of 
fiscal year 2002 Supplemental Funds for Public Health Preparedness and 
Response for Bioterrorism (Announcement Number 99051), as the framework 
for data collection. The six focus areas are:
    Preparedness Planning and Readiness Assessment; Surveillance and 
Epidemiology Capacity; Laboratory Capacity--Biological Agents; Health 
Alert Network/Communication and Information Technology; Risk 
Communication and Health Information Dissemination (Public Information 
and Communication); Education and Training.
    Hard copy assessment instruments will be used in a group setting 
within countries to collect the data. The respondents will be 
individuals from all levels of the health system who are knowledgeable 
about the functions of their system. This process is being done in 
conjunction with the World Bank and the governments of the different 
countries who elect to undertake performance measurement of their 
public health systems using this methodology. The process will be 
funded through the Bank and the government of the countries. No Federal 
funds will be used in the process. It is anticipated that more than 
nine (9) countries may be involved. There will be no cost to 
respondents.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           No. of
                                                             No. of       responses    Avg. burden      Total
                       Respondents                         respondents       per      response  in   burden  (in
                                                                         respondent       hrs.          hrs.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Health Authorities in Europe and the Middle               25             1            24           600
 East...................................................
                                                         ---------------
    Total...............................................  ............  ............  ............          600
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[[Page 18984]]

Nancy E. Cheal,
Acting Director, Office of Program Planning and Evaluation, Centers for 
Disease Control Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-9423 Filed 4-16-03; 8:45 am]

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