[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7477-7478]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-02592]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-15-0572]


Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted 
the following information collection request to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The notice for the proposed 
information collection is published to obtain comments from the public 
and affected agencies.
    Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected 
agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are 
encouraged. Your comments should address any of the following: (a) 
Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary 
for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the 
accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; (d) Minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses; and 
(e) Assess information collection costs.
    To request additional information on the proposed project or to 
obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call 
(404) 639-7570 or send an email to [email protected]. Written comments and/or 
suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice should be 
directed to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and 
Budget, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Written 
comments should be received within 30 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

    Health Message Testing System (HMTS)--(0920-0572, Expiration 
February 28, 2015)--Extension--Office of the Associate Director for 
Communication (OADC), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    Before CDC disseminates a health message to the public, the message 
always undergoes scientific review. However, even though the message is 
based on sound scientific content, there is no guarantee that the 
public will understand a health message or that the message will move 
people to take recommended action. Communication theorists and 
researchers agree that for health messages to be as clear and 
influential as possible, target audience members or representatives 
must be involved in developing the messages and provisional versions of 
the messages must be tested with members of the target audience.
    In the interest of timely health message dissemination, many 
programs forgo the important step of testing messages on dimensions 
such as clarity, salience, appeal, and persuasiveness (i.e., the 
ability to influence behavioral intention). Skipping this step avoids 
the delay involved in the standard OMB review process, but at a high 
potential cost. Untested messages can waste communication resources and 
opportunities because the messages can be perceived as unclear or 
irrelevant. Untested messages can also have unintended consequences, 
such as jeopardizing the credibility of Federal health officials.
    The Health Message Testing System (HMTS), a generic information 
collection, enables programs across CDC to collect the information they 
require in a timely manner to:
     Ensure quality and prevent waste in the dissemination of 
health information by CDC to the public.
     Refine message concepts and to test draft materials for 
clarity, salience, appeal, and persuasiveness to target audiences.
     Guide the action of health communication officials who are 
responding to health emergencies, Congressionally-mandated campaigns 
with short timeframes, media-generated public concern, time-limited 
communication opportunities, trends, and the need to refresh materials 
or dissemination strategies in an ongoing campaign.
    Each testing instrument will be based on specific health issues or 
topics. Although it is not possible to develop one instrument for use 
in all instances, the same kinds of questions are asked in most message 
testing. This package includes generic questions and formats that can 
be used to develop health message testing data collection instruments. 
These include a list of screening questions, comprised of demographic 
and introductory questions, along with other questions that can be used 
to create a mix of relevant questions for each proposed message testing 
data collection method. However, programs may request to use additional 
questions if needed.
    Message testing questions will focus on issues such as 
comprehension, impressions, personal relevance, content and wording, 
efficacy of response, channels, and spokesperson/sponsor. Such 
information will enable message developers to enhance the

[[Page 7478]]

effectiveness of messages for intended audiences.
    Data collection methods proposed for HMTS includes intercept 
interviews, telephone interviews, focus groups, online surveys, and 
cognitive interviews. In almost all instances, data will be collected 
by outside organizations under contract with CDC.
    For many years CDC programs have used HMTS to test and refine 
message concepts and test draft materials for clarity, salience, 
appeal, and persuasiveness to target audiences. Having this generic 
clearance available has enabled them to test their information and get 
critical health information out to the public quickly. Over the last 
three years, more than 20 messages have been tested using this 
clearance. For example: Evaluation of Emergency Preparedness Materials 
for Limited English Proficient Spanish Speakers. Risk communication is 
a top priority in CDC's anthrax preparedness activities. The Anthrax 
Management Team developed materials to provide LEP Spanish-speakers 
with information needed to increase the chances for survival in the 
event that bioterrorists attacked the U.S. using anthrax. Once refined, 
based on participant feedback, these materials will be used in creating 
additional public education materials to be utilized during an anthrax 
emergency. The lessons learned about communication with vulnerable 
populations have application to others who are seeking to improve 
communication during a domestic or global public health emergency.
    The Division of Diabetes Translation obtained OMB approval through 
HMTS for Testing of Brand Concepts, Messages and Materials for CDC's 
National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP). Materials testing 
was conducted with multiple audiences, and provided the detailed level 
of feedback needed to make materials that resonate with each audience. 
Findings have also been used to inform the development and testing of a 
new brand for the National DPP which will be launched in 2015.
    The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 
conducted a field study, Spanish Trench Safety CD-ROM, to determine the 
most effective way to disseminate trench safety information to Latino 
immigrant workers using computer-based training. Using results of this 
study, NIOSH produced the CD-ROM and are preparing to field test the 
product. As part of this project, a tutorial was also created for 
workers with limited computer literacy teaching them how to use the 
computer. The tutorial has been field tested and the English and 
Spanish versions will become NIOSH numbered publications.
    Over 12,000 respondents were queried and over 5,500 burden hours 
used during this time period. Because the availability of this ICR has 
been so critical to programs in disseminating their materials and 
information to the public in a timely manner, OADC is requesting a 
three year extension of this information collection.
    There is no cost to the respondents other than their time. The 
total estimated annualized burden hours are 2,470.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Average
                                                                     Number of       Number of      burden per
          Type of respondents                   Form name           respondents    responses per   response (in
                                                                                    respondent        hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Health Professionals, Health     Moderator's Guides,              18, 525               1            8/60
 Care Providers, State and Local         Eligibility Screeners,
 Public Health Officials, Emergency      Interview Guides,
 Responders, General Public.             Opinion Surveys,
                                         Consent Forms.
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Leroy A. Richardson,
Chief, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific 
Integrity, Office of the Associate Director for Science, Office of the 
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2015-02592 Filed 2-9-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P