[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 13 (Monday, January 22, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2693-2694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-842]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Announcement of Establishment of the Physical Activity Guidelines 
Advisory Committee and Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment to 
the Committee

AGENCY: Office of Public Health and Science, Office of the Secretary, 
HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 217a, Section 222 of the Public Health 
Service Act, as amended. The Committee is governed by the provision 
of Public Law 92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), which sets 
forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees.

SUMMARY: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces 
the establishment of a Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee 
and is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for 
appointment as a member of the Committee.

DATES: Nominations for membership on the Committee must be submitted by 
close of business on February 21, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Nominations may be submitted by electronic mail to 
[email protected]. Alternatively, nominations may be sent to the 
following address: CAPT Richard Troiano, PhD., Department of Health and 
Human Services, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Disease 
Prevention and Health Promotion, Room LL-100, 1101 Wootton Parkway, 
Rockville, MD 20852, (240) 453-8280 (telephone), (240) 453-8281(fax).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: CAPT Richard Troiano, Ph.D., Executive 
Secretary, Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee, Department 
of Health and Human Services, Office of Public Health and Science, 
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Room LL-100, 1101 
Wootton Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852, 240/453-8280 (telephone), 240/
453-8281 (fax). Additional information is available on the Internet at 
http://www.health.gov/PAguidelines/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: There is strong evidence that regular 
physical activity promotes health and reduces risk of many chronic 
diseases. Over the past 40 years, many organizations, including the 
Federal Government, have issued physical activity recommendations. More 
recently, a specific physical activity guideline was included in the 
2000 and 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the Institute of 
Medicine included physical activity in greater detail in its review of 
energy balance in the 2005 Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, 
Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino 
Acids. While the various recommendations illustrate scientific 
consensus on the health benefits of physical activity, they differ from 
each other in the particular recommendations and highlighted benefits.
    The Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee will review 
existing scientific literature to identify where there is sufficient 
evidence to develop a comprehensive set of specific physical activity 
recommendations. The Committee will prepare a report to the Secretary 
that documents scientific background and rationale for the 2008 edition 
of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. The report will also 
identify areas where further

[[Page 2694]]

scientific research is needed. The intent is to have physical activity 
recommendations for all Americans that will be tailored as necessary 
for specific subgroups of the population.
    The Committee will hold three two-day meetings over the course of 
about a year. It is expected to begin meeting by June 2007. Pursuant to 
the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the meetings 
will be open to the public. Individuals selected for appointment to the 
Committee can be invited to serve a term of up to two years. However, 
the Committee will terminate upon delivery of their report to the 
Secretary of HHS. Committee members will receive per diem and 
reimbursement for travel expenses incurred while conducting official 
business pertaining to the Committee. No stipend is authorized to be 
paid to Committee members for performance of duties in relation to the 
Committee.
    To be eligible for consideration of appointment to the Committee, 
individuals should be knowledgeable of current scientific research in 
human physical activity and be respected and published experts in their 
fields. They should be familiar with the purpose, communication, and 
application of Federal guidelines and have demonstrated interest in the 
public's health and well-being through their research and/or 
educational endeavors. Expertise is sought in specific specialty areas 
related to physical activity and health promotion or disease 
prevention, including but not limited to: Health promotion and chronic 
disease prevention; bone, joint, muscle health and performance; obesity 
and weight management; risks of activity and musculoskeletal injury; 
and applications to special populations including children, youth, 
older adults, and persons with disabilities.
    Nominations: The Department will consider nominations for Committee 
membership of individuals qualified to carry out the above-mentioned 
tasks. The following information should be included in the package of 
material submitted for each individual being nominated for 
consideration: 1) A letter of nomination that clearly states the name 
and affiliation of the nominee, the basis for the nomination (i.e., 
specific attributes which qualify the nominee for service in this 
capacity), and a statement that the nominee is willing to serve as a 
member of the Committee; 2) the nominator's name, address and daytime 
telephone number, and the address telephone number, and electronic mail 
address of the individual being nominated; and 3) a current copy of the 
nominee's curriculum vitae. The names of Federal employees should not 
be nominated for consideration of appointment to this Committee.
    Individuals can nominate themselves for consideration of 
appointment to the Committee. All nominations must include the required 
information. Incomplete nominations will not be processed for 
consideration.
    The Department makes every effort to ensure that the membership of 
DHHS Federal advisory committees is fairly balanced in terms of points 
of view represented and the committee's function. Every effort is made 
to ensure that a broad representation of geographic areas, females, 
ethnic and minority groups, and the disabled are given consideration 
for membership on DHHS Federal advisory committees. Appointment to this 
Committee shall be made without discrimination on the basis of age, 
race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and cultural, 
religious, or socioeconomic status.
    The Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive 
Branch are applicable to individuals who are appointed as members of 
Federal advisory committees. Individuals appointed to serve as members 
of Federal advisory committees are classified as Special Government 
Employees (SGEs). SGEs are Government employees for the purposes of the 
conflict of interest laws. Therefore, individuals appointed to serve as 
members of the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee are 
subject to an ethics review. The ethics review is conducted to 
determine if the individual has any interest and/or activities in the 
private sector that may conflict with performance of their official 
duties as a member of the Committee. Individuals appointed to serve as 
members of the Committee will be required to disclose information 
regarding financial holdings, consultancies and research grants and/or 
contracts.

    Dated: January 17, 2007.
Penelope Slade Royall,
RADM, USPHS, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health (Disease Prevention 
and Health Promotion).
[FR Doc. E7-842 Filed 1-19-07; 8:45 am]
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