[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 11, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59071-59072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20323]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-06-05CW]


Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on 
proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. 
To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a 
copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call 404-371-5983 
and send comments to Seleda Perryman, CDC Assistant Reports Clearance 
Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D74, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail 
to [email protected].
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology. Written comments should be received 
within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

    Online Surveys to Measure Awareness of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 
Public Awareness Campaign (OMB Control No. 0920-05CW)--New--National 
Center for Health Marketing (NCHM), Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a serious illness that affects 
many Americans. With as many as 900,000 cases, many of which are 
misdiagnosed or left undiagnosed, the need for a CFS public education 
and awareness campaign is crucial.
    With an estimated $9.1 billion lost annually in U.S. productivity 
due to CFS, the economic impact is a substantial reason for Americans 
to take notice. More importantly, the diminished quality of life for 
many patients suffering from CFS is especially hard to manage. The lack 
of quality information regarding CFS makes it all the more difficult 
for those affected by CFS to receive the support and treatment needed 
to manage this illness.
    Research shows that 80 to 90 percent of patients have not been 
clinically diagnosed and are not receiving proper medical care. Lack of 
awareness and information among health care providers about CFS as a 
serious and treatable illness has created significant barriers to 
diagnosing and treating those who suffer from CFS.
    Congress recognized the need to change this scenario, as reported 
in the Committee Reports for the Senate Appropriations Committee 
(Senate Report 108-345--To accompany S. 2810 Sept. 15, 2004) when the 
committee stated:

    Further, the Committee encourages CDC to better inform the 
public about this condition, its severity and magnitude and to use 
heightened awareness to create a registry of CFS patients to aid 
research in this field.

    During the next two years, CDC, in partnership with the Chronic 
Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) Association of America, 
will build the case that chronic fatigue syndrome is real, serious and 
should be diagnosed quickly to ensure the best possible health 
outcomes.

[[Page 59072]]

    To do so, a public education and awareness campaign will be 
launched to bring about changes in beliefs and social norms among 
target audiences (consumers: women aged 40-60, healthcare 
practitioners: nurse practitioners and physician assistants) that CFS 
is a diagnosable and treatable physical illness.
    Although considerable research will be done to ensure that campaign 
themes, messages, and materials are effective, there is no way to test 
the impact of the campaign on the target audience other than to conduct 
baseline and follow-up surveys. These surveys will measure not only the 
level of awareness created by the campaign, but will measure change in 
key knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about CFS among the target 
audiences. There is no cost to respondents other than their time.

                                       Estimate of Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                            Number of     Response      Total
                                                               Number of    responses    burden per     annual
           Respondents                     Instrument         respondents      per       respondent  burden  (in
                                                                            respondent   (in hours)     hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumers (Women, 40-60 years of   Pre-program survey.......          400            1        10/60           67
 age).
Consumers (Women, 40-60 years of   Post-program survey......          400            1        10/60           67
 age).
Physician Assistants.............  Pre-program survey.......          200            1        10/60           33
Physician Assistants.............  Post-program survey......          200            1        10/60           33
Nurse Practitioners..............  Pre-program survey.......          200            1        10/60           33
Nurse Practitioners..............  Post-program survey......          200            1        10/60           33
                                                                                       --------------
    Total........................  .........................  ...........  ...........  ...........          266
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    Dated: October 4, 2005.
Betsey Dunaway,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 05-20323 Filed 10-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P