[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 155 (Friday, August 10, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47847-47848]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19679]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60-Day-12-0008]


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 
and send comments to Kimberly S. Lane, 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 or other 
forms of information technology. Written comments should be received 
within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

    Emergency Epidemic Investigations--Revision--(0920-0008)(expires 1/
21/2013), Scientific Education and Professional Development Program 
Office (SEPDPO), Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory 
Services (OSELS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

[[Page 47848]]

Background and Brief Description of the Proposed Project

    One of the objectives of CDC's epidemic services is to provide for 
the prevention and control of epidemics, and protect the population 
from public health crises such as human-made or natural biological 
disasters and chemical emergencies. CDC meets this objective, in part, 
by training investigators, maintaining laboratory capabilities for 
identifying potential problems, collecting and analyzing data, and 
recommending appropriate actions to protect the public's health. When 
state, local, or foreign health authorities request help in controlling 
an epidemic or solving other health problems, CDC dispatches skilled 
epidemiologists from the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) to 
investigate and resolve the problem. Resolving public health problems 
rapidly ensures cost-effective health care and enhances health 
promotion and disease prevention.
    The purpose of the Emergency Epidemic Investigation surveillance is 
to collect data from the general public on the conditions surrounding 
and preceding the onset of a problem. The data is collected from 15,000 
respondents in the general public for an annualized total of 3,750 
burden hours (15,000 respondents x 15 minutes per survey). These data 
are collected in a timely fashion so that information can be used to 
develop prevention and control techniques, to interrupt disease 
transmission, and to help identify the cause of an outbreak. The Epi-
Aid Satisfaction Survey for Requesting Officials is to assess the 
promptness of the investigation and the usefulness of recommendations; 
data are collected from 100 state and local health officials for an 
annualized total of 25 burden hours (100 respondents x 15 minutes per 
survey). This survey of state and local health officials was modified 
to better measure and address overall satisfaction, communication, 
response, and team composition and professionalism of the Epi-Aid team. 
The Epi-Aid mechanism is a means for Epidemic Intelligence Service 
(EIS) officers of CDC, along with other CDC staff, to provide technical 
support to state health agencies requesting assistance with 
epidemiologic field investigations. This mechanism allows CDC to 
respond rapidly to public health problems in need of urgent attention, 
thereby providing an important service to state and other public health 
agencies. Through Epi-Aids, EIS officers (and, sometimes, other CDC 
trainees) receive supervised training while actively participating in 
epidemiologic investigations. EIS is a two-year program of training and 
service in applied epidemiology through CDC, primarily for persons 
holding doctoral degrees.
    Shortly after completion of the Epi-Aid investigation, an Epi Trip 
Report is delivered to the state health agency official(s) who 
requested assistance. The state and local health officials, requestors 
of the Epi-Aid assistance can comment on both the timeliness and the 
practical utility of the recommendations from the investigation by 
completing the Epi-Aid Satisfaction Survey for Requesting Officials to 
assess the promptness of the investigation and the usefulness of the 
recommendations. There is no cost to the respondents other than their 
time.

                                                            Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             Number of    Avg burden per
                  Respondents                                   Form Name                    Number of     responses per   response  (in   Total burden
                                                                                            respondents     respondent        hours)        (in hours)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Requestors of Epi-Aids.........................  Epi-Aid Satisfaction Survey for                     100               1           15/60              25
                                                  Requesting Official.
General Public.................................  Emergency Epidemic Investigations......          15,000               1           15/60           3,750
                                                                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total......................................  .......................................  ..............  ..............  ..............           3,775
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Kimberly Lane,
Office of Scientific Integrity, Office of the Associate Director for 
Science, Office of the Director, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2012-19679 Filed 8-9-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P