[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 167 (Monday, August 30, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52958-52960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-21500]


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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 (USPSTF)

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

ACTION: Solicits nominations for new members of USPSTF.

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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 (USPSTF).

[[Page 52959]]

    The USPSTF, a standing, independent panel of non-Federal experts 
that makes evidence-based recommendations to the health care community 
and the public regarding the provision of clinical preventive services, 
see 42 U.S.C. 299b-4(a), 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 USPSTF 
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.
    USPSTF members meet three times a year for two days in the 
Washington, DC area. Between meetings, 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.
    A diversity of perspectives is valuable to the work of the USPSTF. 
To help obtain a diversity of perspectives among nominees, 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 USPSTF.
    Qualification Requirements: The mission of the USPSTF is to review 
the scientific evidence related to the effectiveness and 
appropriateness of clinical preventive services for the purpose of 
developing recommendations for the health care community. Therefore, in 
order to qualify for the USPSTF, 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 decisionmaking 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 USPSTF members without primary health care clinical experience 
may be selected based on their expertise in methodological issues such 
as medical decisionmaking, clinical epidemiology, behavioral medicine, 
health equity, and health economics. For individuals with clinical 
expertise in primary health care, additional qualifications in one or 
more of these areas would enhance their candidacy.
    Consideration will be given to individuals who are recognized 
nationally for scientific leadership within their field of expertise. 
Applicants must have no substantial conflicts of interest, whether 
financial, professional, or other conflicts, that would impair the 
scientific integrity of the work of the USPSTF.

DATES: All nominations submitted in writing or electronically, and 
received by Friday, October 1, 2010, will be considered for appointment 
to the USPSTF.
    Nominated individuals will be selected for the USPSTF on the basis 
of their qualifications (in particular, those that address the required 
qualifications, outlined above) and the current expertise needs of the 
USPSTF. It is anticipated that two or three individuals will be invited 
to serve on the USPSTF beginning in January, 2011. All individuals will 
be considered; however, strongest consideration will be given to 
individuals with demonstrated training and expertise in a specific area 
such as family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, 
pediatrics, nursing, behavioral medicine, health equity or methodology. 
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, 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, including mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone 
number and
    (2) A letter explaining how this individual meets the qualification 
requirements and how he/she would contribute to the USPSTF. The letter 
should also attest to the nominee's willingness to serve as a member of 
the USPSTF.
    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.

Nominee Selection

    Appointments to the USPSTF will be made on the basis of 
qualifications as outlined above (see Qualification Requirements) and 
the current expertise needs of the USPSTF.

Arrangement for Public Inspection

    Nominations and applications are kept on file at the Center for 
Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships, AHRQ, and are 
available for review during business hours. AHRQ does not reply to 
individual nominations, but considers all nominations in selecting 
members. Information regarded as private and personal, such as a 
nominee's social security number, home and e-mail addresses, home 
telephone and fax numbers, or names of family members will not be 
disclosed to the public. This is in accord with AHRQ confidentiality 
policies and Department of Health and Human Services 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. 42 U.S.C. 299(b). 
AHRQ accomplishes these goals through scientific research and promotion 
of improvements in clinical practice, including clinical prevention of 
diseases and other health conditions, and improvements in the 
organization, financing, and delivery of health care services. See 42 
U.S.C. 299(b).
    The USPSTF is a panel of non-Federal experts that makes independent 
evidence-based recommendations regarding the provision of clinical 
preventive services. See 42 U.S.C. 299b-4(a). The USPSTF was first 
established in 1984 under the auspices of the U.S. Public Health 
Service. Currently, the USPSTF is convened by the Director of AHRQ, and 
AHRQ provides ongoing administrative, research and technical support 
for the USPSTF's operation. The USPSTF is charged with rigorously 
evaluating the effectiveness and

[[Page 52960]]

appropriateness of clinical preventive services and formulating or 
updating recommendations for primary care clinicians regarding the 
appropriate provision of preventive services. See 42 U.S.C. 299b-
4(a)(1). AHRQ is charged with the dissemination of recommendations. In 
addition to hard copy materials (that may be obtained from the 
Publications Clearing house), current USPSTF recommendations and 
associated evidence reviews are available on the Internet (http://[email protected]).

    Dated: August 18, 2010.
Carolyn M. Clancy,
Director.
[FR Doc. 2010-21500 Filed 8-27-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-90-M