[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 31 (Thursday, February 14, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6936-6937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-3605]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 02025]


Cooperative Agreement for Epidemiologic Studies of Birth Defects 
and Developmental Disabilities, and the Promotion of Optimal Birth 
Outcomes in China; Notice of Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2002 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program for epidemiologic studies of birth defects and other 
reproductive and developmental outcomes in China.

B. Eligible Applicant

    Assistance will be provided only to the National Center for 
Maternal and Infant Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 
Beijing, People's Republic of China. No other applications are 
solicited.
    The People's Republic of China (PRC) is the most appropriate 
country, and the Peking University Health Science Center (PUHSC) 
(formerly Beijing Medical University [BMU]) is the most appropriate 
institution to conduct the work under this cooperative agreement.
The National Center for Maternal and Infant Health (NCMIH) at PUHSC
    Scientists at PUHSC have successfully collaborated with CDC on a 
large community intervention program of folic acid supplementation to 
prevent neural tube defects, including almost 250,000 women; and 
currently maintain surveillance of four large cohorts. These scientists 
have experience in all areas of birth defects research including 
clinical pediatrics and dysmorphology, epidemiology, public health, 
statistics, and laboratory science. Extensive data sets on perinatal 
health, birth outcome, and birth defects surveillance are maintained at 
PUHSC.
    NCMIH functions as the national research center on health care, 
clinical epidemiology, and public health; and the national laboratory 
for reproductive health research. In addition, it is a national 
training center for professional technical personnel in medical 
epidemiological research and public health; an information management 
center for birth outcomes and reproductive health, and a consulting and 
advising center for the promotion of international academic exchange 
and cooperation.
Population Characteristics and Childbearing Practices in China
    China has a large, stable, and relatively homogeneous population, 
registration for marriage is required, and virtually all pregnancies 
are planned. Women who may be eligible to participate in clinical 
trials or other birth defects prevention programs can therefore be 
identified early, at the time of registration for marriage.
    Approximately 80 percent of women in China become pregnant within 
one year of marriage. In accordance with family planning practices, 
most women, particularly in urban areas, have only one child. Thus, the 
PRC is well-suited for evaluating interventions directed toward the 
prevention of birth defects and adverse pregnancy outcomes, or for 
studying varying doses and schedules of nutritional supplements without 
interfering with national recommendations for women who are newly 
married or planning a pregnancy.
China Public Health Priorities
    Ensuring an optimal birth outcome is a national health priority in 
the PRC. In June 2001, the implementation procedure for the Maternal 
and Child Health Law (enacted July 1, 1995) was signed by Premier Zhu 
Rongji. Under the provisions of this law, all women are entitled to 
receive reproductive health services to ensure a healthy pregnancy and 
a healthy baby. As a result of the capabilities of the PUHSC, the 
Ministry of Health is expected to identify the NCMIH as the main 
technical unit for implementation of the law.
    One of the major components of the implementation plan is the 
prevention of birth defects and reduction of infant mortality.
    In addition, the Ministry of Science and Technology has taken 
responsibility for a number of projects to prevent birth defects and 
disabilities. Among these are (1) determining risk factors for 
congenital cardiac defects in China, (2)

[[Page 6937]]

surveillance for congenital cardiac defects through prenatal and 
postnatal ultrasound examinations, and (3) identification of risk 
factors for birth defects in the high risk areas of Shanxi Province, 
and developmental of intervention strategies.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $1,000,000 is available in FY 2002 to fund this 
award. It is expected that the award will begin on or about June 3, 
2002, and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project 
period of up to five years. Funding estimates may change.
    Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made 
on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports 
and the availability of funds.
    All requests for funds contained in the budget shall be stated in 
U.S. dollars. Once an award is made, CDC will not compensate foreign 
grantees for currency exchange fluctuations through the issuance of 
supplemental awards.
    a. Funds may be spent for reasonable program purposes, including 
personnel, travel, supplies, and services. Equipment may be purchased 
if deemed necessary to accomplish program objectives, however, prior 
approval by CDC officials must be requested in writing.
    b. The applicant may contract with other organizations under this 
program. However, the applicant must perform a substantial portion of 
the activities including program management and operations.

D. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    This and other CDC Announcements can be found on the CDC home page 
Internet address--http://www.cdc.gov click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants 
and Cooperative Agreements.''
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained 
from: Angelia Hill, Grants Management Specialist, International Grants 
and Contracts Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, 
Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: (770) 488-2785, email: [email protected].
    Program Technical assistance, contact: R.J. Berry, MD, MPHTM--
Medical Epidemiologist, National Center on Birth Defects, and 
Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
4770 Buford Highway, N.E., MS F-45, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, Telephone: 
(770) 488-3502, email: [email protected].

    Dated: February 8, 2002.
Rebecca O'Kelley,
Chief, International Grants and Contracts Branch, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 02-3605 Filed 2-13-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P