[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 192 (Friday, October 3, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57463-57464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25083]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-74-03]


Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes a 
list of information collection requests under review by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). To request a copy of these requests, call 
the CDC Reports Clearance Officer at (404) 498-1210. Send written 
comments to CDC, Desk Officer, Human Resources and Housing Branch, New 
Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax 
to (202) 395-6974. Written comments should be received within 30 days 
of this notice.
    Proposed Project: International Performance Standards Project--
New--Public Health Practice Program Office (PHPPO), Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC).
    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Public Health 
Practice Program Office (PHPPO), is proposing to implement a required 
data collection to:
    a. Assess public health preparedness of countries to respond to a 
public health threat or emergency.
    b. Assess progress of countries towards (1) identifying any gaps 
that need to be strengthened in their public health systems, (2) 
achieving the critical and enhanced capacities of their public health 
systems, and (3) setting optimal standards for system performance that 
will enhance the delivery of public health services.
    c. Identify the focus of future proposed work plans, as well as 
help countries develop a public health research agenda.
    d. Provide a consistent framework for each country to characterize 
the status of its public health infrastructure.
    This assessment will use the International Instrument for 
performance measurement of Essential Public Health Functions. This 
instrument is used for rapid assessment of capacity at the level of the 
National Health Authority of countries to respond to public health 
threats and emergencies. This instrument focuses on the six areas of 
fiscal year 2002 Supplemental Funds for Public Health Preparedness and 
Response for Bioterrorism (Announcement Number 99051), as the framework 
for data collection. The six focus areas are:

[sbull] Preparedness Planning and Readiness Assessment
[sbull] Surveillance and Epidemiology Capacity
[sbull] Laboratory Capacity--Biological Agents
[sbull] Health Alert Network/Communication and Information Technology
[sbull] Risk Communication and Health Information Dissemination (Public 
Information and Communication)
[sbull] Education and Training

    Hard copy assessment instruments will be used in a group setting 
within countries to collect the data. The respondents will be 
individuals from all levels of the health system who are knowledgeable 
about the functions of their system. This process is being done

[[Page 57464]]

in conjunction with the World Bank and the governments of the different 
countries who elect to undertake performance measurement of their 
public health systems using this methodology. The process will be 
funded through the Bank and the government of the countries. No Federal 
funds will be used in the process. It is anticipated that more than 
nine (9) countries may be involved. The annualized burden is estimated 
to be 120 hours.

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                                                                                   Number of       Avg. burden
                                                                  Number of      responses per     response in
                                                                 respondents      respondents          hrs.
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Year 1.......................................................               5                1              120
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    Dated: September 29, 2003.
Nancy E. Cheal,
Acting Associate Director for Policy, Planning and Evaluation, Centers 
for Disease Control Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-25083 Filed 10-2-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P