[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 244 (Thursday, December 20, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72361-72363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24701]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60 Day-08-07AB]


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 404-639-5960 
and send comments to Maryam I. Daneshvar, CDC Acting 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

    Measuring the Psychological Impact on Communities Affected by 
Landmines--New--Coordinating Center for Environmental Health and Injury 
Prevention (CCEHIP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    This is a republication of the 60-Day Federal Register Notice on 
this project published 12/13/2006. Comments were received concerning 
urgent needs relating to landmines and unexploded ordnance. CDC has 
considered the comments and appreciates the concerns expressed. While 
our study is relatively small by design, we judge that there will be 
sufficient statistical power for this empirical population-based study 
to demonstrate what the social economic

[[Page 72362]]

and psychological benefits of de-mining will be for affected 
populations.
    The purpose of this project is to conduct focus groups and an 
observational baseline survey that assesses the effectiveness of 
Humanitarian Mine Action (landmine and unexploded ordnance clearance, 
also known as de-mining) upon the economic, social and mental well 
being of impacted communities. This work will be conducted by the 
Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, a center of Harvard University, under 
a cooperative agreement with CDC. The general theory to be examined is 
that individuals and communities in these locations suffer when living 
in an area with landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) since they 
cannot use all land resources and suffer the trauma of injured or 
killed family members.
    This research on the impact of demining is necessary because 
landmines and UXO continue to negatively impact civilian populations. 
For example, it has been estimated that each year landmines and 
unexploded ordinance lead to the injury and death of 24,000 persons 
worldwide, predominately civilians. At the same time, it is estimated 
that civilians account for 35% to 65% of war-related deaths and 
injuries. The use of landmines and UXO is ongoing, and therefore this 
issue merits continued attention.
    Up to this point, however, little if any of the international 
response to landmines has studied the economic, social, and mental 
impact upon a community. Instead the focus has been their physical 
impact in terms of numbers of injured and killed. There are no 
statistics nor is there research that can accurately capture these 
alternative measures of impact. There now exists an opportunity for 
further research that will benefit the general public as well as the 
organizations and governments working with persons impacted by 
landmines and UXO.
    The proposed work will allow CDC to continue its commitment to 
reduce the negative health impact posed by landmines and unexploded 
ordinance, both for U.S. and non-U.S.-based populations. Specific 
activities for this project include:
    a. Identify and incorporate public health principles into the 
planning of a pilot study for assessing the impact of landmine and 
unexploded ordinance (UXO) abatement (also known as demining) on the 
economic, social and mental health of contaminated communities. This 
initial research in three or more locations will lay the groundwork for 
further study in additional sites around the world.
    b. Develop the survey instrument and design a study that will 
assess the economic, social and mental health consequences of living in 
areas where landmines and UXO are present and the impact if they are 
cleared.
    c. Collect and analyze data in order to draw conclusions and 
describe key findings that can be presented to the mine action 
community, which consists of United Nations (UN), governmental and non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) focused on reducing the negative 
impact of mines and unexploded ordinance.
    d. Develop materials and strategies for the wide dissemination of 
findings from the study. Organizations making up the mine action 
community will benefit from the ability to incorporate results (such as 
what practices alleviate negative social impacts on a community) of the 
research into their current practices.
    e. Identify and understand all critical aspects of the demining or 
abatement process, which includes the proper procedures and techniques 
for demining, the distinction between humanitarian and military 
demining, a thorough understanding of international standards for 
demining, and the ability to critically evaluate the quality of 
demining programs and their work.
    f. The work will be conducted in one country per year for a total 
of five years, depending upon available funding. The likely countries 
are: Angola, Bosnia, Colombia, and Lebanon.
    There are no costs to respondents except their time to participate 
in the survey.

                                       Estimated Annualized Burden Hours:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Number of    Average burden   Total burden
               Type of respondents                   Number of     responses per   per response    response (in
                                                    respondents     respondent      (in hours)        hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Urban household heads...........................             800               1             1.5            1200
Rural household heads...........................             400               1             1.5             600
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals......................................            1200  ..............  ..............            1800
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Number of    Average burden   Total burden
               Type of respondents                   Number of     responses per     time per      response (in
                                                    respondents     respondent       response         hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Urban focus group participants..................              30               1               2              60
Rural focus group participants..................              20               1               2              40
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals......................................              50  ..............  ..............             100
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[[Page 72363]]

    Dated: December 12, 2007.
Maryam I. Daneshvar,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. E7-24701 Filed 12-19-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P