[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 92 (Friday, May 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-11633]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 13, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
[CDC-481]

 

Cooperative Agreement With the Republic of the Marshall Islands

Summary

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1994 funds for a cooperative agreement 
with the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) to conduct an 
epidemiologic evaluation of thyroid disease and exposure to radioactive 
fallout from United States atomic weapons testing conducted in the 
South Pacific. Approximately $350,000 is available in FY 1994 to 
support this cooperative agreement. It is expected that the award will 
begin on or about July 1, 1994, and will be awarded for a 12-month 
budget period within a 3-year project period. Funding estimates may 
vary and are subject to change. Continuation awards within the project 
period will be made on the basis of satisfactory progress and the 
availability of funds.
    The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to support an 
epidemiologic study. This study will be designed to investigate the 
possible relationships involving thyroid diseases in Marshall Islands 
residents and past environmental exposures to radioactive fallout from 
the United States Atomic Weapons Testing Program conducted in the 
Marshall Islands between 1946 and 1958.
    CDC will provide guidance on program management and administrative 
matters; assist in developing and final approval of the study protocol; 
assist in assessing historical records for morbidity and mortality; 
provide on-site assistance in both planning and implementation phases; 
provide on-site consultation and assistance in monitoring the 
collection and handling of information; assist in the statistical and 
epidemiologic analysis of the data; assist in interpreting the study 
findings; and assemble a peer review committee to review the project 
protocol.
    The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the 
health promotion and disease prevention objectives of ``Healthy People 
2000,'' a PHS-led national activity to reduce morbidity and mortality 
and improve the quality of life. This announcement is related to the 
priority area of Environmental Health. (For ordering a copy of 
``Healthy People 2000,'' see the section WHERE TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL 
INFORMATION.)

Authority

    This program is authorized under the Public Health Service Act, 
section 301(a) [42 U.S.C. 241(a)], as amended.

Smoke-Free Workplace

    The Public Health Service strongly encourages all grant recipients 
to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all 
tobacco products. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect 
and advance the physical and mental health of the American people.

Eligible Applicant

    Assistance will be provided only to the RMI for conducting this 
study. No other applications are solicited. The Program Announcement 
and application kit have been sent to RMI.
    RMI is the most appropriate organization to conduct the work under 
this cooperative agreement because:
    1. The RMI, under previous funding from the United States 
Government through the Compact of Free Association, is conducting a 
Nationwide Radiological Study to determine the extent of residual 
contamination from atomic weapons tests on individual islands in the 
Republic. These data will be essential for determining historical 
radiation exposures in Marshall Islands residents participating in this 
study of thyroid morbidity. The data from this study are the property 
of the Government of the Marshall Islands and are not available for 
public use.
    2. The RMI has already assembled a consortium of the best qualified 
health physicists, thyroid disease specialists, and administrators from 
various institutions to conduct this study. These experts not only 
represent a high degree of experience in health physics and thyroid 
disease studies, but they represent the principal participants in past 
research of the residents of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
    3. The Ministry of the Interior and Outer Island Affairs, RMI, will 
be able to provide inter-island radio communications, translations to 
Marshallese language, and logistical support for this study.
    4. The RMI has the legal responsibility for disease control in the 
Marshall Islands under the laws of the Republic.

Executive Order 12372 Review

    This application is not subject to review by Executive Order 12372, 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

Public Health System Reporting Requirements

    This program is not subject to the Public Health System Reporting 
Requirements.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA) for 
this project is 93.283.

Other Requirements

A. Paperwork Reduction Act

    Projects involving the collection of information from 10 or more 
individuals and funded by the cooperative agreement will be subject to 
review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act.

B. Human Subjects

    This project involves research on human subjects; therefore, 
applicant must comply with the Department of Health and Human Services 
Regulations (45 CFR part 46) regarding the protection of human 
subjects. Assurance must be provided that demonstrates the project will 
be subject to initial and continuing review by an appropriate 
institutional review committee. The applicant will be responsible for 
providing assurance in accordance with the appropriate guidelines and 
form provided in the application kit. If required, the RMI could 
establish the review of this project through its own institutional 
review committee.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

    If you are interested in obtaining additional information regarding 
this project, please refer to Announcement Number 481 and contact 
Georgia Jang, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, 
Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., room 300, Atlanta, 
Georgia 30305, telephone (404) 842-6814, for business management 
technical assistance.
    A copy of ``Healthy People 2000'' (Full Report, Stock No. 017-001-
00474-0) or ``Healthy People 2000'' (Summary Report, Stock No. 017-001-
00473-1) referenced in the SUMMARY may be obtained through the 
Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 
20402-9325, telephone (202) 783-3238.

    Dated: May 6, 1994.
Ladene H. Newton,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 94-11633 Filed 5-12-94; 8:45 am]
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