[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 13 (Monday, January 22, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2693-2694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-842]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Announcement of Establishment of the Physical Activity Guidelines
Advisory Committee and Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment to
the Committee
AGENCY: Office of Public Health and Science, Office of the Secretary,
HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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Authority: 42 U.S.C. 217a, Section 222 of the Public Health
Service Act, as amended. The Committee is governed by the provision
of Public Law 92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), which sets
forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees.
SUMMARY: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces
the establishment of a Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee
and is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for
appointment as a member of the Committee.
DATES: Nominations for membership on the Committee must be submitted by
close of business on February 21, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Nominations may be submitted by electronic mail to
[email protected]. Alternatively, nominations may be sent to the
following address: CAPT Richard Troiano, PhD., Department of Health and
Human Services, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Disease
Prevention and Health Promotion, Room LL-100, 1101 Wootton Parkway,
Rockville, MD 20852, (240) 453-8280 (telephone), (240) 453-8281(fax).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: CAPT Richard Troiano, Ph.D., Executive
Secretary, Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee, Department
of Health and Human Services, Office of Public Health and Science,
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Room LL-100, 1101
Wootton Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852, 240/453-8280 (telephone), 240/
453-8281 (fax). Additional information is available on the Internet at
http://www.health.gov/PAguidelines/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: There is strong evidence that regular
physical activity promotes health and reduces risk of many chronic
diseases. Over the past 40 years, many organizations, including the
Federal Government, have issued physical activity recommendations. More
recently, a specific physical activity guideline was included in the
2000 and 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the Institute of
Medicine included physical activity in greater detail in its review of
energy balance in the 2005 Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy,
Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino
Acids. While the various recommendations illustrate scientific
consensus on the health benefits of physical activity, they differ from
each other in the particular recommendations and highlighted benefits.
The Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee will review
existing scientific literature to identify where there is sufficient
evidence to develop a comprehensive set of specific physical activity
recommendations. The Committee will prepare a report to the Secretary
that documents scientific background and rationale for the 2008 edition
of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. The report will also
identify areas where further
[[Page 2694]]
scientific research is needed. The intent is to have physical activity
recommendations for all Americans that will be tailored as necessary
for specific subgroups of the population.
The Committee will hold three two-day meetings over the course of
about a year. It is expected to begin meeting by June 2007. Pursuant to
the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the meetings
will be open to the public. Individuals selected for appointment to the
Committee can be invited to serve a term of up to two years. However,
the Committee will terminate upon delivery of their report to the
Secretary of HHS. Committee members will receive per diem and
reimbursement for travel expenses incurred while conducting official
business pertaining to the Committee. No stipend is authorized to be
paid to Committee members for performance of duties in relation to the
Committee.
To be eligible for consideration of appointment to the Committee,
individuals should be knowledgeable of current scientific research in
human physical activity and be respected and published experts in their
fields. They should be familiar with the purpose, communication, and
application of Federal guidelines and have demonstrated interest in the
public's health and well-being through their research and/or
educational endeavors. Expertise is sought in specific specialty areas
related to physical activity and health promotion or disease
prevention, including but not limited to: Health promotion and chronic
disease prevention; bone, joint, muscle health and performance; obesity
and weight management; risks of activity and musculoskeletal injury;
and applications to special populations including children, youth,
older adults, and persons with disabilities.
Nominations: The Department will consider nominations for Committee
membership of individuals qualified to carry out the above-mentioned
tasks. The following information should be included in the package of
material submitted for each individual being nominated for
consideration: 1) A letter of nomination that clearly states the name
and affiliation of the nominee, the basis for the nomination (i.e.,
specific attributes which qualify the nominee for service in this
capacity), and a statement that the nominee is willing to serve as a
member of the Committee; 2) the nominator's name, address and daytime
telephone number, and the address telephone number, and electronic mail
address of the individual being nominated; and 3) a current copy of the
nominee's curriculum vitae. The names of Federal employees should not
be nominated for consideration of appointment to this Committee.
Individuals can nominate themselves for consideration of
appointment to the Committee. All nominations must include the required
information. Incomplete nominations will not be processed for
consideration.
The Department makes every effort to ensure that the membership of
DHHS Federal advisory committees is fairly balanced in terms of points
of view represented and the committee's function. Every effort is made
to ensure that a broad representation of geographic areas, females,
ethnic and minority groups, and the disabled are given consideration
for membership on DHHS Federal advisory committees. Appointment to this
Committee shall be made without discrimination on the basis of age,
race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and cultural,
religious, or socioeconomic status.
The Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive
Branch are applicable to individuals who are appointed as members of
Federal advisory committees. Individuals appointed to serve as members
of Federal advisory committees are classified as Special Government
Employees (SGEs). SGEs are Government employees for the purposes of the
conflict of interest laws. Therefore, individuals appointed to serve as
members of the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee are
subject to an ethics review. The ethics review is conducted to
determine if the individual has any interest and/or activities in the
private sector that may conflict with performance of their official
duties as a member of the Committee. Individuals appointed to serve as
members of the Committee will be required to disclose information
regarding financial holdings, consultancies and research grants and/or
contracts.
Dated: January 17, 2007.
Penelope Slade Royall,
RADM, USPHS, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health (Disease Prevention
and Health Promotion).
[FR Doc. E7-842 Filed 1-19-07; 8:45 am]
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