[Federal Register: April 23, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 79)]
[Notices]
[Page 22048-22049]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23ap04-78]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[60Day-04-46]
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 Sandra
[[Page 22049]]
Gambescia, CDC Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road,
MS-E11, Atlanta, GA 30333. Written comments should be received within
60 days of this notice.
Proposed Project
Work-Related Stress Among Coal Miners--New--The National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC).
Work-related stress appears to increase the risk of atherosclerotic
heart disease, musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain and carpal
tunnel syndrome, and clinical depression. The mechanism by which stress
increases the risk of chronic disease states is unknown, but is thought
to involve abnormal communication between the brain and the endocrine
system. Dysfunction of this communication system, called the
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, is found in a number of
chronic diseases, including coronary heart disease, diabetes, and
rheumatoid arthritis. In a healthy individual, there is flexible
communication between the hypothalamus and pituitary, both located in
the brain, and the adrenal gland, located above the kidneys. When
stresses occur throughout the day, cortisol is released from the
adrenal gland in response to signals from the brain. Cortisol prepares
the body to respond to stress, after which cortisol levels return to
normal. Chronic stress, with protracted or repeated challenge to the
HPA axis, may lead to inappropriate levels of cortisol, further decline
of HPA axis function, and increased risk of chronic disease.
This study will investigate the relationship between workplace
stress and function of the HPA axis among a sample population of coal
miners. Coal miners experience a number of work-related stresses, such
as long hours of work, heavy workloads, shift work, and concerns about
stability of employment. Miners will be asked to complete a 25-minute
survey which asks about traditional job stressors including shift
schedule and rotation, workload, and degree of control over work. The
survey also addresses stressors not typically examined in work stress
surveys, including time spent in second jobs, commuting time to work,
and responsibilities for care of children and the elderly.
Function of the HPA axis will be assessed by obtaining a series of
cortisol samples from subjects right after they wake up in the morning.
Recent studies have shown that the response of cortisol to awakening,
measured in saliva, serves as a good marker of HPA axis function.
Miners will be asked to obtain saliva samples at home, and send them to
the NIOSH Morgantown laboratory for analysis.
Analyses will examine the relationship between the cortisol
response to awakening, an indicator of HPA axis function, and measures
of workplace stress. Data collected in this study will help NIOSH
determine if workplace stress results in HPA axis dysfunction, which
has been linked to a number of chronic disease conditions. There is no
cost to respondents.
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No. of Average burden
Respondents No. of responses per per respondent Total burden
respondents respondent (in hours) (in hours)
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Coal Miners..................................... 400 1 25/60 167
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Total....................................... .............. .............. .............. 167
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Dated: April 13, 2004.
Alvin Hall,
Director, Management Analysis and Services Office, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 04-9213 Filed 4-22-04; 8:45 am]
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