[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 4, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16367-16368]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-1639]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality


Solicitation for Nominations for Members of the U.S. Preventive 
Services Task Force

AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), HHS.

ACTION: Solicits nominations for new members.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) invites 
nominations of individuals qualified to serve as members of the U.S. 
Preventive Services Task Force (the Task Force).
    The Task Force, a standing, independent panel of private-sector 
experts in prevention and primary care, is composed of members 
appointed to serve for four-year terms with an option for 
reappointment. New members are selected each year to replace 
(approximately) one fourth of the Task Force members, i.e., those who 
are completing their appointments. Individuals nominated but not 
appointed in previous years, as well as those newly nominated, are 
considered in the annual selection process.
    Task Force members meet three times a year for two days in the 
Washington, DC area. Member duties include reviewing and preparing 
comments (off site) on systematic evidence reviews prior to discussing 
and making recommendations on preventive services, drafting final 
recommendation documents, and participating in workgroups on specific 
topics or methods. AHRQ particularly encourages nominations of women, 
members of minority populations, and persons with disabilities. 
Interested individuals can self nominate. Organizations and individuals 
may nominate one or more persons qualified for membership on the Task 
Force.
    Qualification Requirements: The mission of the Task Force is to 
produce evidence-based recommendations on the appropriate screening, 
counseling, and provision of preventive medication for asymptomatic 
patients seen in the primary care setting. Therefore, in order to 
qualify for the Task Force, an applicant or nominee MUST demonstrate 
the following:
    1. Knowledge and experience in the critical evaluation of research 
published in peer reviewed literature and in the methods of evidence 
review;
    2. Understanding and experience in the application of synthesized 
evidence to clinical decision-making and/or policy;
    3. Expertise in disease prevention and health promotion;
    4. Ability to work collaboratively with peers; and,
    5. Clinical expertise in the primary health care of children and/or 
adults, and/or expertise in counseling and behavioral interventions for 
primary care patients. Some Task Force members without primary health 
care clinical experience may be selected based on their expertise in 
methodological issues such as medical decision making, clinical 
epidemiology, behavioral medicine, and health economics.
    Strongest consideration will be given to individuals who are 
recognized nationally or intentionally for scientific leadership within 
their field of expertise. Applicants must have no substantial conflicts 
of interest that would impair the scientific integrity of the work of 
the Task Force including financial, intellectual, or other conflicts.

DATES: All nominations submitted in writing or electronically, and 
received by Thursday, May 31, 2007, will be considered for appointment 
to the Task Force.
    Nominated individuals will be selected for the Task Force on the 
basis of their qualifications (in particular, those that address the 
required qualifications, outlined above) and the current expertise 
needs of the Task Force. It is anticipated that 4 individuals will be 
invited to serve on the Task Force beginning in January, 2008. AHRQ 
will retain and consider for future vacancies the nominations of those 
not selected during this cycle.

ADDRESSES: Submit your responses either in writing or electronically 
to: Gloria Washington, ATTN: USPSTF Nominations, Center for Primary 
Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships, Agency for Healthcare 
Research and Quality, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville,

[[Page 16368]]

Maryland 20850, [email protected].

Nomination Submissions

    Nominations may be submitted in writing or electronically, but must 
include (1) the applicant's current curriculum vitae and contact 
information, (2) a letter explaining how this individual meets the 
qualification requirements and how he/she would contribute to the Task 
Force. The letter should also attest to the nominee's willingness to 
serve as a member of the Task Force.
    AHRQ will later ask persons under serious consideration for 
membership to provide detailed information that will permit evaluation 
of possible significant conflicts of interest. Such information will 
concern matters such as financial holdings, consultancies, and research 
grants or contracts.

Nomination Selection

    Nominations for the Task Force will be selected on the basis of 
qualifications as outlined above (see Qualification Requirements) and 
the current expertise needs of the Task Force.

Arrangement for Public Inspection

    Nominations and applications are kept on file at the Center for 
Primary Care, Prevention and Clinical Partnerships, and are available 
for review during business hours. AHRQ does not reply to individual 
responses, but considers all nominations in selecting members. 
Information regarded as private and personal, such as a nominee's 
social security number, home and internet addresses, home telephone and 
fax numbers, or names of family members will not be disclosed to the 
public. This is in accord with agency confidentiality policies and 
Department regulations (45 CFR 5.67).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gloria Washington at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under Title IX of the Public Health Service Act, AHRQ is charged 
with enhancing the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of 
health care services and access to such services. AHRQ accomplishes 
these goals through scientific research and promotion of improvements 
in clinical practice, including prevention of diseases and other health 
conditions, and improvements in the organization, financing, and 
delivery of health care services (42 U.S.C. 299-299c-7 as amended by 
the Healthcare Research and Quality Act of 1999, codified in scattered 
sections of 42 U.S.C.
    The Task Force is an independent expert panel, first established in 
1984 under the auspices of the U.S. Public Health Service. Currently, 
the USPSTF, under AHRQ's authorizing legislation (see in particular, 42 
U.S.C. 299b-4(a), is convened at the call of the Director of AHRQ. The 
Task Force is charged with rigorously evaluating the effectiveness, 
cost-effectiveness and appropriateness of clinical preventive services 
and formulating or updating recommendations for primary care clinicians 
regarding the appropriate provision of preventive services. The USPSTF 
transitioned to a standing Task Force in 2001. Current Task Force 
recommendations and associated evidence reviews are available on the 
Internet (http://www.preventiveservices.ahrq.gov).

    Dated: March 27, 2007.
Carolyn M. Clancy,
Director.
[FR Doc. 07-1639 Filed 4-3-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-90-M