[Federal Register: January 29, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 19)]
[Notices]
[Page 5195-5197]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29ja08-68]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[60Day-08-08AH]
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
[[Page 5196]]
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 404-639-5960 and send comments to Maryam I.
Daneshvar, CDC Acting Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-
D74, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail to omb@cdc.gov.
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. Written comments should be received
within 60 days of this notice.
Proposed Project
Improving the Health and Safety of Minority Workers--New--National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Background and Brief Description
NIOSH, under Public Law 91-596, Sections 20 and 22 (Section 20-22,
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970) has the responsibility to
conduct research relating to innovative methods, techniques, and
approaches dealing with occupational safety and health problems.
Occupational stress is one of the major causes of diminished health
and productivity on the job. The continuing escalation of stress-
related medical care utilization and costs, the negative effect of job
stress on satisfaction as well as the dysfunctional and costly effects
of stress on job performance and employee turnover rate are some of the
documented health, psychological and behavioral consequences of stress.
Although racial and ethnic minority groups shoulder a
disproportionate burden of death and disability from various stress-
related illnesses, few studies have explored factors in the workplace
that may contribute to these disparities in health. Because of their
general concentration in low status, low paying and/or blue-collar
jobs, some racial and ethnic minorities may be over-exposed to
workplace factors traditionally linked to a variety of stress-related
problems such as a high workload coupled with a lack of control or
authority over work. In addition, racial and ethnic minorities are
significantly more likely than non-minorities to encounter
discrimination and other ethnocultural stressors in the workplace,
ranging from assimilation pressures and isolation to inequalities in
training and advancement. Ethnocultural stressors have been linked with
psychological distress and other problems in physical and mental
health.
On the other hand, occupational stress research experts suggest
that certain workplace and other factors (e.g., co-worker and
supervisory support, anti-discrimination policies and practices, etc.)
may reduce stress among employees, including racial and ethnic
minorities.
This research will focus on: (1)Assessing the degree to which
minorities are exposed to traditionally-studied and ethnocultural
stressors, (2) identifying the stressors that are most predictive of
stress-related problems (e.g., symptoms of psychological distress,
health-impairing behaviors) in racial and ethnic minorities, (3)
identifying organizational and other factors that afford minorities
protection against the development of stress-related problems and (4)
developing an occupational stress toolkit (i.e. consisting of
information and other resources) that will better enable employers and
community-based organizations to prevent and manage occupational stress
in diverse workplaces and communities.
This research will be conducted in three phases. In phase one, a
30-minute survey will be administered by telephone to 2300 Blacks/
African Americans, White/European Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans,
American Indian/Alaska Natives, and Asian Americans. Additionally, a
90-minute qualitative interview will be administered face-to-face to
160 Blacks/African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American
Indian/Alaska Natives, and Asian Americans recruited through community-
based organizations. All telephone survey and qualitative interview
respondents will be between the ages of 18 and 65, U.S. born and/or
reared, either currently employed or unemployed for no more than 1
year, and living in the Chicago area. In phase two of this research, a
15-minute web-based, key informant survey will be administered to 60
employers (via Human Resource Representatives) and 60 community-based
organizations (via Executive Directors) in the Chicago area. The web-
based survey is designed to assess the informational needs of these
organizations as they relate to addressing occupational stress in
racially and ethnically diverse workforces or communities. NIOSH will
combine the results of this needs assessment with phase one telephone
survey and qualitative interview findings to develop and disseminate an
occupational stress toolkit.
In phase three of this research, a second web-based key informant
survey will be administered to the same 60 employers and 60 community-
based organizations six months after the occupational stress toolkit
has been disseminated to them for review and use. The survey will
evaluate perceptions of the toolkits' utility and how well it met the
organizations' needs. Also, the survey will elicit suggestions for its
improvement.
Findings will be used to improve the toolkit and to help identify
potential future intervention efforts to reduce occupational stress in
racially and ethnically diverse workforces and communities. There is no
cost to respondents other than their time.
Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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Number of Average burden
Form name Number of responses per response (in Total burden
respondents respondent hours) (in hours)
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Phase I Workers Telephone Interviews............ 2300 1 30/60 1150
Phase I Workers Qualitative Face-to-Face 160 1 1.5 240
Interviews.....................................
Phase II Employers and CBO's Web Based 120 1 15/60 30
Interviews.....................................
Phase III Follow-up Employers and CBO's Web 120 1 15/60 30
Based Interviews...............................
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Total....................................... .............. .............. .............. 1450
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[[Page 5197]]
Dated: January 18, 2008.
Maryam I. Daneshvar,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
[FR Doc. E8-1453 Filed 1-28-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P