[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 121 (Friday, June 24, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36595-36605]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-12519]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Grants and Cooperative Agreements; Notice of Availability

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the 
Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science, Office on Women's 
Health.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Funding Opportunity: Request for Applications for Improving, 
Enhancing, and Evaluating Outcomes of Comprehensive Heart Health Care 
Programs for High-Risk Women.
    Announcement Type: Competitive Cooperative Agreement--FY 2005 
Initial announcement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: Not applicable.
    OMB Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: The OMB Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.012.

DATES: Application Deadline: July 25, 2005.
    Anticipated Award Date: September 1, 2005.
SUMMARY: The Office on Women's Health (OWH) within the United States 
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is interested in 
improving, enhancing, and evaluating outcomes of comprehensive heart 
health care programs for high-risk women. Under this announcement, OWH 
anticipates making up to five new awards, through the cooperative 
agreement grant mechanism, to provide funding to improve and enhance 
existing women's heart health care programs in hospitals, clinics, and/
or health centers and to enable the programs to track and evaluate 
outcome data. Each grantee shall enhance an existing women's heart 
health care program so that it provides a continuum of heart health 
care services through the integration of the following five 
interrelated components: Education and Awareness, Screening and Risk

[[Page 36596]]

Assessment, Diagnostic Testing and Treatment, Lifestyle Modification 
and Rehabilitation, and Tracking and Evaluation. Grantees shall also 
target high-risk women in at least one of the following groups: Women 
aged 60 years or older, racial and ethnic minority women, and/or women 
who live in rural communities (particularly rural communities in the 
South and Appalachian region).
    The goal of these programs will be to reduce heart disease 
mortality and morbidity among women and to increase the number of high-
risk women who receive quality heart health care services, including 
education, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and 
rehabilitation. These programs will offer comprehensive heart health 
care services that are women-centered, culturally competent, multi-
disciplinary, continuous and integrated.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

1. Authority

    This program is authorized by section 1703(a) of the Public Health 
Service Act.

2. Purpose

    Through the cooperative agreement grant mechanism, OWH is 
interested in improving and enhancing existing women's heart health 
care programs and enabling the programs to track and evaluate outcome 
data. The goal of these programs will be to reduce heart disease 
mortality and morbidity among women and to increase the number of high-
risk women who receive quality heart health care, including education, 
prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. These 
programs will be demonstration projects; as such, they will provide the 
evidence necessary to evaluate whether comprehensive women's heart 
health care programs are effective in improving heart disease outcomes 
in high-risk women.

3. Project Outcomes

    At minimum, grantees must be able to demonstrate the following 
desired program outcomes among women who participate in the program or 
among the community served:
Education/Knowledge
     Increase the proportion of women who are aware of the 
early warning symptoms and signs of a heart attack and the importance 
of accessing rapid emergency care by calling 911 (Target = 50%)
     Increase the proportion of women with diabetes who receive 
formal diabetes education (Target = 60%)
     Increase the proportion of women appropriately counseled 
about health behaviors (Target for physical activity = 58%; Target for 
diet and nutrition = 56%; Target for smoking cessation = 72%)
     Increase the proportion of women who are aware that heart 
disease is the 1 killer of women (Target = 75%)
Prevention/Risk Factors
     Increase the proportion of women with high blood pressure 
whose blood pressure is under control (Target = 50%)
     Reduce the proportion of women with high total blood 
cholesterol (Target = 17%)
     Increase the proportion of women with diabetes whose 
condition has been diagnosed (Target = 80%)
     Reduce the proportion of women who are obese (Target = 
15%)
     Increase the proportion of women who engage regularly, 
preferably daily, in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes 
per day. (Target = 30%)
Treatment
     Increase the proportion of eligible women with heart 
attacks who receive fibrinolytics within an hour of symptom onset 
(Target = 6%)
     Increase the proportion of eligible women with heart 
attacks who receive percutaneous intervention (PCI) within 90 minutes 
of symptom onset (Target = 0.67%)
     Increase the proportion of women with coronary heart 
disease who have their LDL-cholesterol level treated to a goal of less 
than or equal to 100 mg/dL (Target pending)
    The targets for these outcomes are based on the targets set for the 
objectives of Healthy People 2010. More information on the Healthy 
People 2010 objectives may be found at http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.

4. Requirements

    In order to apply for the award, applicants must already have a 
basic women's heart health care program in place. The award shall not 
be used to fund direct health care services or equipment for patients 
(e.g., diagnostic tests, screening equipment, treatment, etc.). Rather, 
funds should be used to strengthen infrastructure, track and evaluate 
outcome data, conduct community outreach and educational activities, 
improve the coordination and continuity of care, and reduce 
fragmentation of heart health care services that already exist within 
the health care facility. For example, funds can be used to hire a 
program coordinator, set up a data tracking system, acquire or produce 
educational materials, etc.
    The grantee shall enhance the existing women's heart health care 
program so that it provides a continuum of quality heart health care 
services to all women in the community, while specifically targeting 
high-risk women in at least one of the following groups: Women aged 60 
years or older, racial and ethnic minority women, and/or women who live 
in rural communities (particularly rural communities in the South and 
Appalachian region). Each program must also be enhanced to offer 
comprehensive heart health care services that are women-centered, 
culturally competent, multi-disciplinary, continuous and integrated.
    The women's heart health care program must be identifiable to 
patients and health professionals. Key staff and health care providers 
involved in the program must be knowledgeable about the differences 
between heart disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment in women and 
men. The grantee should use the award to train other health care 
providers affiliated with the program to understand these differences. 
Adult high-risk women shall be the primary focus of this program; 
however, family members who request services through the program must 
also be accommodated. All high-risk women shall be eligible to 
participate in the program, regardless of race, religion, or age.
    In order to apply for the award, applicants must have the framework 
for at least three of the following five components already in place: 
Education and Awareness, Screening and Risk Assessment, Diagnostic 
Testing and Treatment, Lifestyle Modification and Rehabilitation, and 
Tracking and Evaluation. The award should be used to implement the 
other two components and to enhance the components that are already in 
place. The framework for all five components must be in place by the 
third month of funding. After the initial three months, each component 
must become a continuous, ongoing process throughout the entire period 
of funding.
Component 1--Education and Awareness
    Education and awareness activities must be conducted in the 
community and/or at the health care facility several times throughout 
the year. Activities may include health fairs, seminars, CME courses, 
etc. The goal of these activities will be to educate women and their 
health care providers about heart disease in women and in the targeted 
group(s) of high-risk women. During these activities, participants must 
receive educational materials that contain information on statistics, 
risk factors, prevention and healthy lifestyle changes, warning signs 
and symptoms,

[[Page 36597]]

diagnosis, screening, treatment, and rehabilitation. The prevention 
information in these materials must be based on the latest AHA/ACA 
Evidence-Based Guidelines for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in 
Women (1). Grantees may also use or adapt materials from the National 
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's (NHLBI) Heart Truth Campaign (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/) and other NHLBI materials.
    The OWH will provide the grantee with materials from the Heart 
Truth Professional Education Campaign, which can be used or adapted for 
the health professional educational activities. These materials will be 
available for use in the Fall of 2005. They will include (1) curriculum 
materials for medical students and allied health professional students, 
(2) grand round presentations (traditional slides and a web-based 
interactive version) for cardiologists, primary care physicians, and 
allied health professionals, and (3) web-based interactive multiple 
unit learning modules for training and self study.
Component 2--Screening and Risk Assessment
    Women who participate in the educational activities must be 
encouraged to complete a self-administered heart disease risk and 
knowledge assessment tool, which will be distributed and collected by 
the grantee. Each woman who completes the risk and knowledge assessment 
tool must receive a summary report with personalized heart disease risk 
information and a follow-up phone call. During the phone call, women 
must be invited to a follow-up consultation at the women's heart health 
care program or encouraged to make an appointment with their own 
primary care doctor. During the consultation, each woman should receive 
a more detailed risk assessment including appropriate screening tests, 
as indicated by the latest evidence-based practice guidelines.
Component 3--Diagnostic Testing and Treatment
    A follow-up appointment must be scheduled for women requiring 
diagnostic testing and women requiring interventions, as indicated by 
the latest evidence-based practice guidelines. Women who attend a 
follow-up appointment shall undergo a physical examination and 
diagnostic tests, if necessary. Those women needing interventions 
should receive prescriptions for appropriate medication, counseling on 
appropriate heart healthy lifestyle changes, and follow-up appointments 
with specialists, if necessary.
Component 4--Lifestyle Modification and Rehabilitation
    Follow-up of women requiring risk factor modification interventions 
is required. Group or individual classes on such topics as 
hypertension, diabetes, nutrition, exercise, and smoking cessation can 
be offered as part of the program. The program must also include 
comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation services specifically for high-
risk women who are diagnosed with coronary heart disease. Women 
requiring cardiac rehabilitation services should be actively encouraged 
to take advantage of the services, including monitored physical 
exercise and activity, education, counseling, and risk factor 
management. The program must also address the barriers to participation 
and compliance experienced by women (2, 3).
Component 5--Tracking and Evaluation
    The program must track, evaluate and report on data from Components 
1-4. Baseline and follow-up data from risk and knowledge assessments, 
screenings, diagnostic tests, treatment plans, and interventions must 
be collected, entered into a central database, and analyzed. The data 
collected must be able to demonstrate, at minimum, the desired program 
outcomes listed above in section I.3.

II. Award Information

    Under this announcement OWH anticipates making, through the 
cooperative agreement grant mechanism, up to five new 12-month awards 
by September 1, 2005. Approximately $750,000 is available to make 
awards of up to $150,000 total cost (direct and indirect) for the 
initial 12-month period. Cost sharing and matching funds is not a 
requirement of this grant. The actual number of awards made will depend 
upon the quality of the applications received and amount of funds 
available for the program. The government is not obligated to make any 
awards as a result of this announcement. The anticipated start date for 
new awards is September 1, 2005 and the anticipated period of 
performance is September 1, 2005 through August 31, 2006.
    Under the cooperative agreement, the duties of the grantee and the 
federal government are described below. The OWH will provide the 
technical assistance and oversight necessary for the implementation, 
conduct, and assessment of program activities. The federal government 
shall be free to use program materials both during and after the period 
of performance. The grantee may copyright any work that is developed, 
or for which ownership was purchased, under the award, but DHHS 
reserves a royalty-free, nonexclusive and irrevocable right to 
reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the work for Federal purposes, and 
to authorize others to do so.
    The grantee shall complete all requirements described in the 
Funding Opportunity Description. The grantee shall also:
     Prepare a work plan, task outline, and schedule of 
activities within one month of award.
     Prepare quarterly progress reports that outline the status 
and progression of the program.
     Participate in monthly conference calls with OWH and other 
awardees of this grant.
     Attend a post-award orientation meeting in Washington, DC 
within two months of award. (Travel funds for this meeting must come 
out of the total award funding and should be included in the 
applicant's budget justification.)
     Develop materials (e.g. flyers, pamphlets, Web site, etc.) 
to promote the program within the community.
     Prepare or obtain culturally competent educational 
materials on heart disease in women, including information on 
statistics, risk factors, prevention, warning signs and symptoms, 
diagnosis, screening, treatment, and rehabilitation.
     Prepare a directory of local heart resources available in 
the community, including cardiologists, dieticians, diabetes experts, 
weight loss and exercise programs, and health care alternatives for 
uninsured and underinsured women.
     Prepare a draft consent form in lay-language, obtain 
appropriate institutional IRB approval, if applicable, and obtain 
consent from all program participants.
     Develop or obtain a self-administered heart disease risk 
and knowledge assessment tool and a summary report format.
     Develop or obtain tracking and evaluation materials, 
including tools and surveys for collecting data on heart disease risk 
factors, screenings, diagnostic tests, treatment plans, interventions, 
and health outcomes.
     Develop or obtain a centralized database for storing and 
analyzing the tracking and evaluation data.
     Prepare a draft of the final report six weeks prior to the 
end date of award. The report should describe all project activities 
for the entire year and include

[[Page 36598]]

an analysis of the tracking and evaluation data.
     Incorporate mutually agreed upon edits from the OWH into 
the final report by the end date of award.
     Adhere to all program requirements specified in this 
announcement and the Notice of Grant Award.
     Submit a final Financial Status Report.
    The Federal Government will:
     Conduct pre-award site visits of applicants with scores in 
the funding range prior to final selection of awardees, as needed.
     Conduct site visits of the funded programs, as needed.
     Review and approve work plan, task outline, and schedule 
of activities.
     Review quarterly progress reports.
     Conduct the monthly conference calls with grantees.
     Conduct a post-award orientation meeting in Washington, DC 
within two months of award.
     Review and approve materials to promote the program within 
the community.
     Review and approve the educational brochures and materials 
on heart disease in women.
     Provide the grantee with the Heart Truth Professional 
Education Campaign materials.
     Review the directory of local heart resources available in 
the community.
     Review and approve the self-administered heart disease 
risk and knowledge assessment tool and summary report format.
     Participate in the development of tracking and evaluation 
materials.
     Review draft of the final report and provide comments and 
edits to be incorporated into the final document.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Applicants must be a public or private hospital, clinic, or health 
center providing heart health care services to women. Academic health 
centers and State, county, and local health departments are eligible 
for funding under this announcement. Programs that will be implemented 
in medically underserved areas, enterprise communities, and empowerment 
zones as well as community health centers funded under Section 330 of 
the Public Health Service Act are encouraged to apply. Native American 
tribal organizations, faith-based organizations, and organizations 
serving rural or frontier communities are also encouraged to apply.
    In order to apply for the award, applicants must already have a 
basic women's heart health care program in place. Applicants must also 
have the framework for three of the five components described in the 
funding opportunity description (Education and Awareness, Screening and 
Risk Assessment, Diagnostic Testing and Treatment, Lifestyle 
Modification and Rehabilitation, Tracking and Evaluation) already in 
place.
    If funding is requested in an amount greater than the ceiling of 
the award range ($150,000 for a 12-month budget period), the 
application will be considered non-responsive and will not be entered 
into the review process. The application will be returned with 
notification that it did not meet the submission requirements. 
Applications that are not complete or do not conform to or address the 
criteria of this announcement will be considered non-responsive and 
will not be entered into the review process. The application will be 
returned with notification that it did not meet the submission 
requirements. An organization may submit no more than one proposal for 
the program announced in this notice of funding availability. 
Organizations submitting more than one proposal will be deemed 
ineligible. The proposal will be returned without comment.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds

    Cost sharing, matching funds, and cost participation is not a 
requirement of this grant.

3. Other

    Preference will be given to organizations serving rural or frontier 
communities and/or Native American tribal organizations. To increase 
the likelihood of funding organizations serving rural or frontier 
communities and/or Native American tribal organizations, OWH will award 
5 bonus points to applicants meeting these criteria.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Application kits may be requested by calling (301) 594-0758 or 
writing to: Ms. Karen Campbell, Director, Office of Public Health and 
Science (OPHS) Office of Grants Management, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 
550, Rockville, MD 20852. Applications must be prepared using Form 
OPHS-1.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    Applicants are required to submit an original ink-signed and dated 
application and two photocopies. The application should be organized in 
accordance with the format presented in the Program Guidelines. The 
original and each copy must be stapled and/or otherwise securely bound. 
All pages must be numbered clearly and sequentially. The application 
must be typed on plain 8 \1/2\'' x 11'' white paper, using a 12 point 
font, and contain 1'' margins all around. The Project Narrative, 
excluding the appendices, is limited to a total of thirty (30) pages--
the fronts and backs of 15 pieces of paper. The first 30 pages of the 
proposal will be considered; any pages exceeding this length will be 
removed from the proposal and will not be evaluated. Staff resumes, 
letters of support, budget justifications, samples of educational 
materials, samples of survey instruments and data collection forms, and 
research results and references may be included as part of an appendix 
and will not count toward the thirty pages limit. The application must 
also include a detailed budget justification, including a narrative and 
computation of expenditures for one year. The budget justification does 
not count toward the 30 pages limit.
    An outline for the minimum information to be included in the 
``Project Narrative'' section is presented below.
A. Statement of Need
    The applicant should demonstrate the need for improving, enhancing, 
and evaluating outcomes of the women's heart health care program. The 
statement of need should include a description of the population served 
by the applicant, including relevant demographic and risk factor 
information. The applicant should also describe the group(s) of high-
risk women that will be targeted and the rationale for choosing the 
group(s).
B. Program Plan
    The applicant must describe, in detail, its approach for 
accomplishing each of the requirements identified in the funding 
opportunity description. The program plan must discuss each component 
(Education and Awareness, Screening and Risk Assessment, Diagnostic 
Testing and Treatment, Lifestyle Modification and Rehabilitation, and 
Tracking and Evaluation) of the program in the order in which it 
appears in the funding opportunity description. The proposal should 
describe the three components of the program that are already in place 
as well as the components that will be added and/or strengthened using 
the award. The applicant should discuss how all five components will be

[[Page 36599]]

integrated to improve the coordination and continuity of care and 
reduce fragmentation of heart health care services. The applicant 
should also discuss how barriers to receiving and utilizing health care 
will be addressed in each component of the program, including options 
available for underinsured and uninsured women, transportation issues, 
child care, etc.
    The applicant should identify potential problems and intended 
solutions. The applicant is free to recommend and describe other 
procedures that it believes will more effectively achieve the stated 
objectives, but needs to carefully relate alternatives and rationales 
to the approach recommended in the funding opportunity description.
C. Experience and Commitment of Key Personnel
    The applicant must identify key personnel involved in the project 
based on the requirements described in funding opportunity description 
and other personnel adequate to support the administrative, logistical, 
financial, and scientific coordination aspects of the project within 
the time limits of the grant. The applicant must provide information on 
which task(s) each of the key personnel will perform and the rationale 
for that assignment. Resumes for all proposed personnel must be 
submitted with the application in the appendices. The applicant should 
also describe the network of multi-disciplinary health care providers 
that will be available to provide the services required in the funding 
opportunity description, including any partnerships established with 
specialists in the community. The applicant must demonstrate that key 
staff and health care providers involved in the program are 
knowledgeable on (1) the differences between heart disease prevention, 
screening, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation in men and women and 
(2) heart disease in the targeted high-risk group(s).
D. Management Plan
    The applicant should develop and propose a Management Plan. This 
plan includes a program schedule that lays out tasks and a time-line 
and identifies significant milestones for the accomplishment of the 
project. Specific staff responsibilities must be detailed in this 
schedule along with the number of hours that each person will devote to 
each task. The plan must provide, at a minimum, details pertaining to 
the five program components as they are outlined in the funding 
description. The applicant should keep in mind that the framework for 
all five components must be in place by the third month of funding. 
After the initial three months, each component must become a 
continuous, ongoing process throughout the entire period of funding.
E. Past Performance
    Each applicant should describe its experience and success in 
implementing and managing the existing women's heart health care 
program, including any tracking and evaluation data already collected 
and analyzed. Each applicant should also describe any other relevant 
previous experience, which may include, but is not limited to, the 
implementation of (1) a similar comprehensive women's or men's health 
program in any health area (e.g. heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, 
etc.), (2) educational activities aimed at improving the awareness of 
health issues in women and men, and (3) any health programs targeting 
the chosen group(s) of high-risk women. The applicant should also 
include a description of itself, its support personnel, contractors, 
and partners, and the quality of cooperation between organization, 
staff, key personnel, and clients. Finally, the applicant should 
describe any training received by its staff members on how to implement 
and evaluation a women's heart health care program.
F. Appendices
    Include documentation and other supporting information in this 
section, including staff resumes, letters of support, samples of survey 
instruments and data collection forms, and research results and 
references.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    To be considered eligible for review, applications must be received 
by the Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS), Office of Grants 
Management by 5 p.m. EST on July 25, 2005. Applications will be 
considered as meeting the deadline if they are received on or before 
the deadline date. The application due date requirement in this 
announcement supersedes the instructions in the OPHS-1. Electronic 
submissions through the Grants.gov Website Portal provides for 
applications to be submitted electronically. Information about the 
system is available on the Grants.gov Web Site, http://www.grants.gov. 
Applications submitted by facsimile transmission (FAX) or any other 
electronic format are ineligible for review and will not be accepted. 
Applications that do not meet the deadline will be considered 
ineligible and will be returned to the applicant unread.

4. Intergovernmental Review

    This program is subject to the Public Health Systems Reporting 
Requirements. Under these requirements, a community-based non-
governmental applicant must prepare and submit a Public Health System 
Impact Statement (PHSIS). Applicants shall submit a copy of the 
application face page (SF-424) and a one page summary of the project, 
called the Public Health System Impact Statement. The PHSIS is intended 
to provide information to State and local health officials to keep them 
apprised of proposed health services grant applications submitted by 
community-based, non-governmental organizations within their 
jurisdictions.
    Community-based, non-governmental applicants are required to 
submit, no later than the Federal due date for receipt of the 
application, the following information to the head of the appropriate 
state and local health agencies in the area(s) to be impacted: (a) a 
copy of the face page of the application (SF 424), (b) a summary of the 
project (PHSIS), not to exceed one page, which provides: (1) A 
description of the population to be served, (2) a summary of the 
services to be provided, and (3) a description of the coordination 
planned with the appropriate state or local health agencies. Copies of 
the letters forwarding the PHSIS to these authorities must be contained 
in the application materials submitted to the DHHS/OWH.
    This program is also subject to the requirements of Executive Order 
12372 that allows States the option of setting up a system for 
reviewing applications from within their States for assistance under 
certain Federal programs. The application kit to be made available 
under this notice will contain a listing of States that have chosen to 
set up a review system and will include a State Single Point of Contact 
(SPOC) in the State for review. Applicants (other than federally 
recognized Indian tribes) should contact their SPOCs as early as 
possible to alert them to the prospective applications and receive any 
necessary instructions on the State process. For proposed projects 
serving more than one State, the applicant is advised to contact the 
SPOC in each affected State. A complete list of SPOCs may be found at 
the following Web site: www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. The 
due date for State process recommendations is 60 days after the 
application deadline. The OWH does not guarantee that it will

[[Page 36600]]

accommodate or explain its responses to State process recommendations 
received after that date. (See ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs,'' Executive Order 12372, and 45 CFR Part 100 for a 
description of the review process and requirements.)

5. Funding Restrictions

    The award shall not be used to fund direct health care services or 
equipment for patients (e.g. diagnostic tests, screening equipment, 
treatment, etc.). Rather, funds should be used to strengthen 
infrastructure, track and evaluate outcome data, improve the 
coordination and continuity of care, and reduce fragmentation of heart 
health care services that already exist within the health care 
facility.
    Grant funds may be used to cover costs of:
     Personnel
     Consultants
     Grant related office supplies and software
     Grant related travel (domestic only)
     Educational, promotional and evaluation materials
     Other grant related costs
    Grant funds may not be used for:
     Building alterations or renovations
     Construction
     Screening supplies or equipment
     Incentives and prizes
     Food
     Fund raising activities
     Medical care, diagnostic tests, treatment or therapy
     Political education and lobbying
     Other activities that are not grant related
    Guidance for completing the budget can be found in the Program 
Guidelines, which are included with the complete application kits.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    All applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering 
System (DUNS) number as preparation for doing business electronically 
with the Federal Government. The DUNS number must be obtained prior to 
applying for OWH funds. The DUNS number is a nine-character 
identification code provided by the commercial company Dun & 
Bradstreet, and serves as a unique identifier of business entities. 
There is no charge for requesting a DUNS number, and you may register 
and obtain a DUNS number by either of the following methods:
    Telephone: 1-866-705-5711.
    Web site: https://www.dnb.com/product/eupdate/requestOptions.html.
    Be sure to click on the link that reads, ``DUNS Number Only'' at 
the right hand, bottom corner of the screen to access the free 
registration page. Please note that registration via the web site may 
take up to 30 business days to complete.

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

    The technical review of applications will consider the following 5 
factors:
A. Factor 1: Program Plan (30 Points)
    This factor will be evaluated by rating the applicant's approach to 
accomplishing each of the requirements identified in the funding 
opportunity description as demonstrated by the following:
     Demonstrated understanding of the scope, goals, and 
objectives of the work required and the applicability and clarity of 
the overall approach
     Discussions detailing how each of the requirements will be 
performed and the appropriateness of all proposed methodologies and 
analyses
     Discussions detailing how each of the five program 
components will be implemented (or enhanced) and integrated to provide 
continuity of care
     Discussions detailing how the program will be women-
centered, culturally competent, and multi-disciplinary
     Discuss describing how barriers to receiving and utilizing 
health care will be addressed in each component of the program, 
including options available for underinsured and uninsured women, 
transportation issues, child care, etc.
     Identification of potential problems and intended 
solutions
     Potential for the success of the proposed program plan to 
achieve and demonstrate the program outcomes described in the funding 
opportunity description.
B. Factor 2: Statement of Need (20 Points)
    The evaluation of this factor will be based on the following:
     Demonstrated need for improving, enhancing, and evaluating 
outcomes of the women's heart health care program
     Clarity of description of the population served by the 
applicant including total population, percent women, race/ethnicity 
data, age distribution, incidence of heart disease morbidity and 
mortality, prevalence of heart disease risk factors, and current 
utilization of heart health care services
     Clarity of the description of the group(s) of high-risk 
women that will be targeted and the rationale for choosing the group(s)
     Demonstrated understanding of the unique issues and 
concerns of women and of the targeted group(s) of high-risk women
     Demonstrated understanding of the differences between 
heart disease prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and 
rehabilitation in men and women.
C. Factor 3: Experience and Commitment of Key Personnel (20 Points)
    This factor covers the qualifications of key personnel proposed to 
perform the work and the amount of effort estimated for each person. 
This evaluation is based on the following:
     Experience, education, and professional credentials of 
proposed key personnel on similar projects and in related fields
     Appropriateness of each person's skills for performing the 
requirements in the funding opportunity description
     Adequacy of the multi-disciplinary network of health care 
providers that will be available to provide the required services
     Degree to which key staff and health care providers 
involved in the program are knowledgeable on the differences between 
heart disease prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and 
rehabilitation in men and women
     Degree to which key staff and health care providers 
involved in the program are knowledgeable on heart disease in the 
targeted high-risk group(s).
D. Factor 4: Management Plan (20 Points)
    The applicant's staffing, scheduling, and logistics plans will be 
evaluated for their effectiveness in committing personnel and resources 
to achieve the program goals within the time frames set-forth. This 
evaluation is based on the following:
     Realism of the proposed timeline and the personnel and 
resources assigned to complete each requirement
     Appropriateness of the proposed number of hours estimated 
for each requirement and each staff member
     Adequacy of organizational structure
     Adequacy of proposed plan to identify and solve potential 
problems
     Adequacy of proposed plan to monitor and report on program 
progress and ensure effective communication between program staff 
members and the OWH.
E. Factor 5: Past Performance (10 Points)
    This factor will be evaluated by considering the number, size, 
complexity, and success of similar

[[Page 36601]]

projects that the applicant has previously successfully implemented. 
The applicant should describe its experience and success in 
implementing and managing the existing women's heart health care 
program, including any tracking and evaluation data already collected 
and analyzed. Other relevant previous experience may include, but is 
not limited to, the implementation of (1) A similar comprehensive 
women's or men's health program in any health area (e.g. heart disease, 
cancer, osteoporosis, etc.), (2) educational activities aimed at 
improving the awareness of health issues in women and men, and (3) any 
health programs targeting the chosen group(s) of high-risk women. 
Finally, the applicant should describe any training received by its 
staff members on how to implement a women's heart health care program.
    Also evaluated will be the applicant's past adherence to schedules 
and budgets, effectiveness of program management, willingness to 
cooperate when difficulties arise, and general compliance with the 
terms of grants.

2. Review and Selection Process

    Applications should be submitted to: Ms. Karen Campbell, Director, 
Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS) Office of Grants Management, 
1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852. Technical 
assistance on budget and business aspects of the application may be 
obtained from the Office of Grants Management, 1101 Wootton Parkway, 
Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852, telephone: (301) 594-0758.
    Questions regarding programmatic information and/or requests for 
technical assistance in the preparation of the Project Narrative should 
be directed in writing to Dr. Suzanne Haynes, Senior Science Advisor, 
Office on Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
200 Independence Avenue, SW., Rm 719E, Washington, DC 20201, e-mail: 
[email protected].
    Applications will be screened upon receipt. Those that are judged 
to be incomplete or arrive after the deadline will be returned without 
review or comment. If funding is requested in an amount greater than 
the ceiling of the award range ($150,000 for a 12-month budget period), 
the application will be considered nonresponsive and will not be 
entered into the review process. The application will be returned with 
notification that it did not meet the submission requirements.
    Applicants that are judged to be in compliance will be notified by 
the Office of Grants Management. Accepted applications will be reviewed 
for technical merit in accordance with DHHS policies. Applications will 
be evaluated by a technical review panel. Applicants are advised to pay 
close attention to the specific program requirements and general 
instructions in the application kit and to the definitions provided in 
this notice.
    Applications will be evaluated by a technical review panel composed 
of experts in the fields of program management, heart disease and 
health care, community outreach and health education, and community-
based research. Consideration for award will be given to applicants 
that best demonstrate the potential to design a program that achieves 
the program goals stated in this announcement. The Federal Government 
may conduct pre-award site visits of applicants with scores in the 
funding range prior to final selection.
    Funding decisions will be made by the OWH, and will take into 
consideration the recommendations and ratings of the review panel, pre-
award site visits, program needs, geographic location, and stated 
preferences. To increase the likelihood of funding organizations 
serving rural or frontier communities and/or Native American tribal 
organizations, OWH will award 5 bonus points to applicants meeting 
these criteria.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: Within two weeks of the review of all 
applications, all applicants will receive a letter from the OWH stating 
whether they are likely to be or have not been approved for funding. 
For those likely to be funded, the letter is not an authorization to 
begin performance of grant activities. Applicants selected for funding 
support will receive a Notice of Grant Award signed by the Director of 
the OPHS Office of Grants Management. This is the authorizing document 
and it will be sent electronically and followed up with a mailed copy.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: (1) In 
accepting this award, the grantee stipulates that the award and any 
activities thereunder are subject to all provisions of 45 CFR parts 74 
and 92, currently in effect or implemented during the period of this 
grant. (2) Requests that require prior approval from the awarding 
office (See Chapter 8, PHS Grants Policy Statement) must be submitted 
in writing to the OPHS Grants Management Officer. Only responses signed 
by the OPHS Grants Management Officer are to be considered valid. 
Grantees who take action on the basis of responses from other officials 
do so at their own risk. Such responses will not be considered binding 
by or upon the OWH. (3) Responses to reporting requirements, 
conditions, and requests for postaward amendments must be mailed to the 
attention and address of the Grants Management Officer indicated below 
in ``Contacts.'' All correspondence should include the Federal grant 
number (item 4 on the Notice of Grant Award) and requires the signature 
of an authorized business official and/or the project director. Failure 
to follow this guidance will result in a delay in responding to your 
correspondence. (4) The DHHS Appropriations Act requires that, when 
issuing statements, press releases, requests for proposals, bid 
solicitations, and other documents describing projects or programs 
funded in whole or in part with Federal money, all grantees shall 
clearly state the percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of 
the program or project which will be financed with Federal money and 
the percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the project or 
program that will be financed by nongovernmental sources. (5) A notice 
in response to the President's Welfare-to-Work Initiative was published 
in the Federal Register on 5/16/97. This initiative is designed to 
facilitate and encourage grantees to hire welfare recipients and to 
provide additional training and/or mentoring as needed. The text of the 
notice is available electronically on the OMB home page at http://www.whitehouse.gov/wh/eop/omb.
    3. Reporting: A successful applicant will submit quarterly progress 
reports, a final report, and a final Financial Status Report in the 
format established by the OWH, in accordance with provisions of the 
general regulations which apply under ``Monitoring and Reporting 
Program Performance,'' 45 CFR parts 74 and 92. The purpose of the 
quarterly and final reports is to provide accurate and timely program 
information to program managers and to respond to Congressional, 
Departmental, and public requests for information about the program. An 
original and two copies of the quarterly progress reports must be 
submitted by December 2, March 2, and June 2. A draft of the final 
report must be submitted by July 24. The report should describe all 
project activities for the entire year and include an analysis of the 
tracking and evaluation data. OWH will review the draft. Suggested 
revisions will be discussed individually during a conference call with 
each grantee. The mutually agreed upon revisions must be incorporated 
into the final report by the end date of the award.

[[Page 36602]]

VII. Agency Contact(s)

    For application kits and information on budget and business aspects 
of the application, please contact: Ms. Karen Campbell, Director, OPHS 
Office of Grants Management, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, 
Rockville, MD 20857. Telephone: 301-594-0758. E-mail: 
[email protected].
    Questions regarding programmatic information and/or requests for 
technical assistance in the preparation of the ``Project Narrative'' 
should be directed in writing to: Dr. Suzanne Haynes, Senior Science 
Advisor, Office on Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Rm 719E, Washington, DC 20201. 
E-mail: [email protected].

VIII. Other information

1. Background

A. OWH
    The Office on Women's Health (OWH) in the United States Department 
of Health and Human Services (DHHS) coordinates the efforts of all the 
DHHS agencies and offices involved in women's health. OWH works to 
improve the health and well-being of women and girls in the United 
States through its innovative programs by educating health 
professionals and motivating behavior change in consumers through the 
dissemination of health information. To that end, the OWH has 
established public/private partnerships that address the major killer 
of women--cardiovascular disease. One such partnership is with the 
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's (NHLBI) Heart Truth 
Campaign, which is targeting women aged 40-60 years and their health 
care providers, through a national educational campaign.
B. Women and Heart Disease
    Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United 
States (4). Compared to men, women have higher heart disease mortality, 
higher morbidity following a heart attack, lower awareness of heart 
disease, and have a higher prevalence of most major risk factors for 
heart disease.
     In 2002, about 15,000 more women died of heart disease 
than men in the United Sates (5).
     Thirty-eight percent of women die within one year of 
having a heart attack compared to 25% of men who have heart attacks 
(4).
     About 35% of women and 18% of men heart attack survivors 
will have another heart attack within six years (4).
     About 46% of women become disabled with heart failure 
within 6 years of having a heart attack compared to 22% of men (4).
     Perioperative complications and mortality after 
percutaneous angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery are also 
higher in women than in men (6).
     More women than men in the United States have the 
following five major risk factors for heart disease: High blood 
pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, physical inactivity, and obesity 
(7).
    Some experts speculate that the difference in heart disease 
outcomes and risk factor prevalence between women and men may be due, 
in part, to a lack of awareness among women and their physicians of the 
risks for heart disease in women, and less aggressive use of treatments 
and preventive therapies for women than for men (6, 8).
     A 2003 national survey conducted by the American Heart 
Association found that 35% of women cite breast cancer as their 
greatest health threat while only 13% of women believe that their 
greatest health threat is heart disease (9).
     Women often fail to make the connection between risk 
factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and their 
own chance of developing heart disease.
     Physicians tend to rate women as being at lower risk for 
heart disease than men even when the men and women have very similar 
risk profiles (10).
     A study of over 29,000 routine physician office visits 
found that women were counseled less often than men about exercise, 
nutrition, and weight reduction (11).
     The results of the 2003 national survey found that only 
38% of women reported that their doctors had ever discussed heart 
disease with them (9).
    Women and health care providers are often ill-informed about the 
differences between male and female signs, symptoms, and risk factors 
for heart disease (8, 9, 12, 13).
     The most common heart attack symptoms in women are 
different than those in men; women are more likely than men to 
experience ``atypical'' symptoms such as nausea, indigestion, 
palpitations, dyspnea and fatigue, and they are less likely than men to 
experience chest pain (14).
     The association between diabetes and heart disease is 
stronger in women than in men; diabetes increases a woman's risk of 
developing heart disease by 3 to 7 times, compared to 2 to 3 times in 
men (15).
     New evidence indicates that C-reactive protein may be a 
stronger risk factor in men than in women (16).
     The Women's Health Initiative study found that a common 
menopausal hormone therapy offered to women--estrogen plus progestin--
increased the risk of heart disease in postmenopausal women (17).
    There are also differences among men and women in heart disease 
prevention, diagnosis and treatment options and recommendations.
     The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American 
College of Cardiology (ACA) now recommend that women keep their HDL 
level at 50 mg/dL, compared with a recommended level of 40 mg/dL for 
men (1).
     New evidence indicates that aspirin therapy does not have 
the same heart protective effect in women as it does in men (18).
     The accuracy of exercise EKG and exercise thallium (with 
either conventional or SPECT imaging) for the diagnosis of heart 
disease is lower in women than in men due to both poor sensitivity and 
specificity (6).
     Some evidence indicates that clopidogrel is more effective 
in men than in women at reducing the risk of cardiovascular events and 
death among patients with acute coronary syndromes (6).
     For a comprehensive summary of prevention recommendations 
in women, see the Evidence-Based Guidelines for Cardiovascular Disease 
Prevention in Women recently published by the AHA and the ACA (1).
     For a comprehensive summary of diagnosis and treatment 
options in women, see the Evidence Report/Technology Assessment: 
Results of a Systematic Review of Research on Diagnosis and Treatment 
of Coronary Heart Disease in Women published in 2003 by the Agency for 
Healthcare Research and Quality (6).
    Recent research has shown disparities in prevention, diagnosis and 
treatment for heart disease among women as compared to men.
     In one study, men were more likely than women to undergo 
noninvasive cardiac tests as well as invasive cardiac procedures after 
being diagnosed with unstable angina (19).
     A recent prospective cohort study of 8353 high-risk women 
from the southeastern U.S. found that only about one-third of women 
with high lipids received lipid-lowering drugs (20).
     Women are also less likely than men to receive appropriate 
drug therapy after a heart attack such as acute heparin, angiotensin-
converting enzyme

[[Page 36603]]

inhibitors, and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (13, 21).
     In another study conducted in the UK, women were 39% less 
likely than men to be correctly diagnosed with a heart attack (22).
     Women are significantly less likely than men to be 
referred to a cardiac rehabilitation program once they have been 
diagnosed with heart disease; women are also less likely to enroll in 
and complete cardiac rehabilitation programs (23-26).
C. High-Risk Groups
    Some groups of women have higher rates of heart disease mortality 
than other women and/or a higher prevalence of factors that increase 
the risk of heart disease mortality and morbidity. These high-risk 
groups of women include women aged 60 years or older, racial and ethnic 
minority women, and/or women who live in some rural communities 
(particularly rural communities in the South and Appalachian region) 
(5, 7, 9, 23, 24, 27-48).
i. Older Women
     The incidence of heart disease increases with age, and 
over 83% of people who die of heart disease are age 65 years or older 
(27).
     The risk of high blood pressure also increases with age; 
about 80% of women age 65 years and older have high blood pressure 
(27).
     After menopause, heart disease rates in women are 2 to 3 
times that of women the same age before menopause (7).
     In addition, levels of HDL cholesterol decrease after 
menopause while levels of LDL cholesterol increase, which increases the 
risk of developing coronary artery disease.
     Only 18% of women age 65 years and older report engaging 
in regular leisure time physical activity compared to 59% of the total 
population of women (28).
     Older heart disease patients are less likely to receive 
guideline-recommended medical therapies such as beta-blockers, 
thrombolysis, statins, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors 
(29-32).
     Older women are also less likely than younger women to 
participate in cardiac rehabilitation programs after having a heart 
attack (23, 24).
ii. Racial and Ethnic Minority Women
    African American women have the highest age-adjusted heart disease 
death rate of any female race/ethnicity group in the United State. 
Compared to white women, racial and ethnic minority women have a higher 
prevalence of many major risk factors for heart disease.
     In 2002, the heart disease death rate was 263.2 per 
100,000 for African American women compared to 192.1 per 100,000 for 
white women and 197.2 per 100,000 for all women combined (5).
     About 57% of Hispanic/Latino women, 56% of American 
Indians/Alaska Native women, 42.6% of Asian/Pacific Islander women and 
55% of African American women do not exercise, compared to 38% of white 
women (7, 33-35).
     About 72% of Mexican-American women, 77% of African 
American women and 61% of American Indians/Alaska Native women are 
overweight or obese, compared to 57% of white women (7, 33, 34).
     About 37% of American Indians/Alaska Native women smoke 
compared to 21% of white women (7, 34).
     Other CVD risk factors such as diabetes mellitus and high 
blood pressure are also more prevalent among minority women than among 
white women (7, 33, 34).
     About 26% of Hispanic/Latino women and 27% of Asian 
American women have not had a blood pressure screening in the past 12 
months, compared to 20% of white women (36).
    Disparities also exist in prevention, screening and treatment for 
heart disease among certain racial and ethnic minority women compared 
to white women.
     Studies have shown that African American women are less 
likely than white women to receive statin therapy even though African 
American women have higher rates of high cholesterol (37, 38).
     In one study of 700,000 elderly Medicare beneficiaries 
with ischemic heart disease, African American and Native American 
underwent invasive diagnostic and surgical revascularization far less 
often than whites, and Asian Americans were 50% less likely to be 
admitted to a hospital than whites (39).
     In another recent study of patients hospitalized with 
heart attack, the time it took for African Americans, Asian/Pacific 
Islanders and Hispanics to receive both fibrinolytic therapy and 
percutaneous coronary intervention was significantly longer compared 
with white patients (40).
     Several studies of heart attack patients have shown that 
African Americans, Asian Americans and Hispanics are less likely than 
whites to undergo angioplasty, cardiac catheterization, and bypass 
surgery (41-44 ).
     African American women are also significantly less likely 
than white women to be referred to a cardiac rehabilitation program 
once they have had a heart attack (45).
    Heart disease awareness is also lower among certain racial and 
ethnic minority groups of women than among white women.
     In the 2003 national survey conducted by the American 
Heart Association, fewer African-American and Hispanic women than white 
women correctly cited heart disease as the leading cause of death among 
women (9).
     The survey also showed that white women were more likely 
than women in other racial/ethnic groups to correctly identify the 
major risk factors for heart disease.
iii. Rural Populations: South and Appalachian Region
    According to the Rural Healthy People 2010 Companion Document to 
Healthy People 2010, rural populations ``are faced with certain 
behaviors, attitudes, and access challenges that may contribute to 
their heightened risks of coronary heart disease and stroke (46).''
     Access challenges cited in the document include ``long 
travel distances to comprehensive post discharge care for heart 
failure, limited access to screening services, variances in utilization 
of antithrombolytic therapy, availability of technology and 
specialists, and limited access to cardiac rehabilitation services 
(46).''
     Other challenges include a decreased awareness of heart 
disease risk, particularly among older rural women, and an increased 
prevalence of heart disease risk factors. Women who live in rural 
counties in the South and Appalachian region have higher rates of heart 
disease mortality than any other counties in the United States (47, 
48).
     Women living in rural areas have higher rates of smoking 
and obesity than women living in urban areas (48).
D. Women's Heart Health Programs
    Clearly there is much improvement needed at all levels of women's 
heart health care, particularly for high-risk groups of women (e.g. 
women aged 60 years or older, racial and ethnic minority women, and 
women who live in rural communities). OWH believes that implementing 
comprehensive women's heart health programs within hospitals, clinics, 
and other health care centers may help to improve heart disease 
prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in women. Such programs address 
the unique issues and concerns

[[Page 36604]]

of women and take into account the differences between heart disease in 
women and men. While there is limited data to date on the ability of 
these programs to improve heart disease awareness and care in women, 
some promising results have been reported.
     After the Women's Heart Program was implemented at Our 
Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette, Louisiana, non-
invasive heart disease testing increased by 32% (49).
     In addition, 38% of patients increased their physical 
activity and 24% lost weight.
     Prior to the program's existence, Lafayette women 
identified cancer as their greatest health risk. In 2001, they 
identified heart disease as their greatest risk.

2. Definitions

    For the purposes of this cooperative agreement program, the 
following definitions are provided:
    Community-based: The locus of control and decision-making powers is 
located at the community level, representing the service area of the 
community or a significant segment of the community.
    Community health center: A community-based organization that 
provides comprehensive primary care and preventive services to 
medically underserved populations. This includes but is not limited to 
programs reimbursed through the Federally Qualified Health Centers 
mechanism, Migrant Health Centers, Primary Care Public Housing Health 
Centers, Healthcare for the Homeless Centers, and other community-based 
health centers.
    Culturally competent: Information and services provided at the 
educational level and in the language and cultural context that are 
most appropriate for the individuals for whom the information and 
services are intended.
    Continuous: An ongoing set of services that include a complete 
array of heart health care, from education to screening to diagnosis to 
treatment and rehabilitation, without interruption.
    Frontier community: Community or area with low population density 
that is usually fewer than 6-7 persons per square mile.
    High-risk women: Groups of women that have higher rates of heart 
disease mortality than other women and/or a higher prevalence of 
factors that increase the risk of heart disease mortality and 
morbidity. Major risk factors for heart disease include smoking, high 
blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, physical 
inactivity, age, and family history of heart disease. Information on 
high risk or risks for heart disease can be found online at http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/109/5/672 full/109/5/672 and http://www.guidelines.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=3487&nbr=2713&string=lipid.
    Integrated: The goal of this approach is to unite the strengths of 
the various areas of women's health care, and create a more informed, 
less fragmented, and efficient system of care for women that can be 
replicated in other populations and communities.
    Multi-disciplinary: An approach that is based on the recognition 
that women's health crosses many disciplines, and that women's health 
issues need to be addressed across multiple disciplines, such as, 
geriatrics, cardiology, mental health, reproductive health, nutrition, 
endocrinology, physiology, immunology, rheumatology, dental health, 
etc.
    Racial and Ethnic Minority Women: American Indian or Alaska Native, 
Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and Native 
Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. (Revision to the Standards for the 
Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity, Federal Register, 
Vol. 62, No. 210, pg. 58782, October 30, 1997.)
    Rural community: All territory, population, and housing units 
located outside of urban areas and urban cluster.
    Target: Put forth effort to ensure that members of a specific group 
of women are aware of the program and that components of the program 
are designed to be effective in reaching those populations. This 
includes creating program materials that are culturally competent for 
that specific group of women. This also includes training staff and 
health professionals to understand the unique needs, behaviors, 
cultures and concerns of members of the specific group of women. 
Targeting does not mean excluding other groups of women from the 
program.
    Women-centered heart health care services: Services and health care 
providers that (1) take into account the differences between heart 
disease in men and women, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment 
and rehabilitation and (2) address the needs and concerns of women in 
an environment that is welcoming to women, fosters a commitment to 
women, treats women with dignity, and empowers women through respect 
and education.

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care and disease outcomes among African American and white women 
with heart disease. Circulation 2003;108(9):1089-94.
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in lipid management for African Americans and Caucasians with 
coronary artery disease: a national cross-sectional study. BMC 
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    Dated: June 16, 2005.
Wanda K. Jones,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health (Women's Health).
[FR Doc. 05-12519 Filed 6-23-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4130-33-P