[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 15, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28599-28600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11711]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60 Day-12-12JN]


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 404-639-7570 or 
send comments to Kimberly S. Lane, at 1600 Clifton Road, MS D74, 
Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an email 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

[[Page 28600]]

or other forms of information technology. Written comments should be 
received within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

    The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)--
NEW--National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    Section 306 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 
242k), as amended, authorizes that the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services (DHHS), acting through NCHS, shall collect statistics on the 
extent and nature of illness and disability; environmental, social and 
other health hazards; and determinants of health of the population of 
the United States.
    The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has, 
to date, been authorized as a generic clearance under OMB Number 0920-
0237. A change in accounting practice for the burden hours, however, 
requires a shift to a newly-assigned clearance number.
    The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has 
been conducted periodically between 1970 and 1994, and continuously 
since 1999 by the National Center for Health Statistics, CDC.
    Annually, approximately 15,411 respondents participate in some 
aspect of the full survey. About 10,000 complete the screener for the 
survey. About 142 complete the household interview only. About 5,269 
complete both the household interview and the MEC examination. Up to 
4,000 additional persons might participate in tests of procedures, 
special studies, or methodological studies. The average burden for 
these special study/pretest respondents is 3 hours. Participation in 
NHANES is completely voluntary and confidential. A three-year approval 
is requested.
    NHANES programs produce descriptive statistics which measure the 
health and nutrition status of the general population. Through the use 
of questionnaires, physical examinations, and laboratory tests, NHANES 
studies the relationship between diet, nutrition and health in a 
representative sample of the United States. NHANES monitors the 
prevalence of chronic conditions and risk factors related to health 
such as arthritis, asthma, osteoporosis, infectious diseases, diabetes, 
high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, drug and 
alcohol use, physical activity, environmental exposures, and diet. 
NHANES data are used to produce national reference data on height, 
weight, and nutrient levels in the blood. Results from more recent 
NHANES can be compared to findings reported from previous surveys to 
monitor changes in the health of the U.S. population over time. NHANES 
continues to collect genetic material on a national probability sample 
for future genetic research aimed at understanding disease 
susceptibility in the U.S. population. NCHS collects personal 
identification information. Participant level data items will include 
basic demographic information, name, address, social security number, 
Medicare number and participant health information to allow for 
linkages to other data sources such as the National Death Index and 
data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). There 
is no cost to respondents other than their time.
    NHANES data users include the U.S. Congress; numerous Federal 
agencies such as other branches of the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the United States 
Department of Agriculture; private groups such as the American Heart 
Association; schools of public health; and private businesses.

                                                       Table 1--Annualized Burden Hours and Costs
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                                                                                                                             Average
                                                                                            Number of       Number of      burden per      Total burden
             Type of  respondent                                 Form                      respondents    responses per   response (in        hours
                                                                                                           respondent        hours)
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1. Individuals in households................  NHANES Questionnaire.....................          15,411               1             2.4         36,986
2. Individuals in households................  Special Studies..........................           4,000               1               3         12,000
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    Total...................................  .........................................  ..............  ..............  ..............         48,986
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    Dated: May 9, 2012.
Kimberly S. Lane,
Deputy Director, Office of Science Integrity, Office of the Associate 
Director for Science, Office of the Director, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2012-11711 Filed 5-14-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P