[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 237 (Thursday, December 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76702-76703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31131]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Viral Hepatitis Action Plan--Community Stakeholder Activities 
Request for Information

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of the 
Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking 
public input from state and local governments, community based 
organizations, academic institutions, professional organizations, 
advocacy groups, private industry, and other non-federal stakeholders 
on activities undertaken in 2014-2015 in support of the goals of the 
national Action Plan for the Prevention, Care, and Treatment of Viral 
Hepatitis.

DATES: All responses must be received at the address provided below, no 
later than 5:00 p.m. ET on February 8, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Electronic responses are strongly preferred and may be 
addressed to [email protected]. Written responses should be addressed 
to: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Ave. 
SW., Room 443H, Washington, DC 20201. Attention: VHAP--2015RFI

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Corinna Dan, RN, MPH, Office of HIV/
AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, (202) 401-9581.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The updated comprehensive national action 
plan, Combating the Silent Epidemic of

[[Page 76703]]

Viral Hepatitis: Action Plan for the Prevention, Care, & Treatment of 
Viral Hepatitis 2014-2016, details more than 150 actions to be 
undertaken between 2014 and 2016 by 20 federal agencies and offices 
from across the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), 
Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Justice (DOJ), and Veterans 
Affairs (VA). While the Viral Hepatitis Action Plan describes efforts 
to be undertaken by federal stakeholders, many of the successes our 
nation has seen in the fight against viral hepatitis have resulted from 
non-federal efforts including those of health departments, academic 
researchers, community-based organizations, professional organizations, 
education and advocacy groups, private industry, and other 
stakeholders. The Viral Hepatitis Action Plan provides a framework 
around which all stakeholders can engage to strengthen the nation's 
response to viral hepatitis and envisions active involvement of and 
innovation by a broad mix of partners from both public and private 
sectors.
    The updated Action Plan describes four main goals to be achieved by 
2020:
     Increase in the proportion of persons who are aware of 
their hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, from 33% to 66%.
     Increase in the proportion of persons who are aware of 
their hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, from 45% to 66%.
     Reduce by 25% the number of new cases of HCV infection.
     Eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HBV.
    This request for information seeks public comment on several key 
areas with respect to non-federal efforts undertaken throughout 
calendar years 2014-2015 that are consistent with the four main goals 
of the Viral Hepatitis Action Plan. Comments are sought on (but not 
limited to) the following:
    1. Describe the type of organization or group with which you are 
affiliated (e.g., advocacy, private industry, health care, local, or 
state government, etc.).
    2. What is the most significant need your community/clients 
experience with respect to combating viral hepatitis?
    3. What activities conducted in 2014 and 2015 demonstrated the 
greatest advances toward reaching the goals of the Viral Hepatitis 
Action Plan? Responses are invited (but not limited to) viral hepatitis 
activities in the following areas:
    a. Raising awareness about viral hepatitis among the general 
public, specific targeted populations, and/or community leaders;
    b. Training and/or increasing capacity of health care providers to 
prevent, diagnose, treat viral hepatitis;
    c. Developing strategies to promote timely viral hepatitis 
diagnosis and linkage to care;
    d. Developing/implementing clinical decision support tools and/or 
improved protocols in clinical settings that improve viral hepatitis 
health outcomes;
    e. Implementing strategies to educate women of child-bearing age 
and high risk groups about mother-to-infant transmission of hepatitis 
B;
    f. Reaching people who inject drugs with viral hepatitis 
information and services;
    g. Improving viral hepatitis infection prevention awareness and 
initiatives in medical settings;
    h. Developing strategies to foster stakeholder collaboration and 
sustainable programs; and
    i. Other (please specify).
    4. Please include relevant information such as the dates of 
implementation; names of collaborating organizational partners; related 
Action Plan goal(s); geographic area and populations served, 
quantitative findings and outcomes such as number of tests done, 
proportion of positives identified; and links to online tools, 
resources, and publications.
    Please limit responses to four pages, single-sided, double spaced, 
10 point font.
    Selected activities will be compiled and made available to federal 
partners, stakeholders, and the public in order to foster further 
expansion, innovation, and collaboration toward achieving the goals of 
the Viral Hepatitis Action Plan. Reponses to this RFI will also be used 
to inform future HHS strategic planning and implementation.

    Dated: December 7, 2015.
Ronald O. Valdiserri,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, Office of 
the Assistant Secretary for Health.
[FR Doc. 2015-31131 Filed 12-9-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4150-28-P