[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 219 (Thursday, November 13, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64428-64429]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-28368]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0641]


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment 
on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are 
required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each 
proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension 
of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public 
comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments for 
information needed to conduct a study of war related illnesses and 
post-deployment health issues.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before January 12, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Ann W. Bickoff, Veterans Health Administration (193B1), Department of 
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-
mail [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-
0641 in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann W. Bickoff (202) 273-8310 or FAX 
(202) 273-9381. These are not toll-free numbers.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 
U.S.C. 3501-21), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they 
conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to 
Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, VHA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VHA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.
    Title: Study of War Related Illnesses and Post-Deployment Health 
Issues, VA Form 10-21060(NR).
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0641.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: VA has established the War-Related Illness and Injury 
Study Centers for war-related illnesses and post-development health 
issues. In order to develop a program of risk communication activities, 
VA must conduct a survey to gather information of sufficient scope and 
breadth to support the development of a risk communication strategy. A 
risk communication strategy will serve as a guide that clearly 
delineates the needs and requirement of the target audience for risk 
communication activities. The survey will be used to assess:
    (1) The variety and prevalence of health conditions experienced by 
veterans of Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and Bosnia-Kosovo and the 
perception of the extent that they are related to military service in a 
theater of operations;
    (2) by region of deployment, the most frequently mentioned 
environmental exposures and medical countermeasures, and the level of 
concern of veterans regarding the perceived health impact of these 
exposures;
    (3) which health problems, symptoms, and exposures veterans most 
want to receive information about; and to
    (4) query veterans regarding their perception of the most desirable

[[Page 64429]]

medium for receiving health risk communications and the most 
appropriate/trustworthy representatives to deliver such messages.
    Fulfillment of the survey will facilitate the development of risk 
communication programs that will effectively provide accurate and 
timely information regarding health risks that veterans may experience 
as a consequence of deployment related environmental exposures.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 2,625 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 45 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: One time.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,500.

    Dated: November 3, 2003.

    By direction of the Secretary:
Jacqueline Parks,
IT Specialist, Records Management Service.
[FR Doc. 03-28368 Filed 11-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P