[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 16 (Friday, January 24, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4329-4330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01129]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Solicitation of Nominations for Membership To Serve on the 
Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department 
of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Request for nominations.

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SUMMARY: HRSA is seeking nominations of qualified candidates for 
consideration for appointment as members of the Advisory Committee on 
Infant Mortality (ACIM). The ACIM provides advice to the Secretary of 
HHS on Department activities and programs directed at reducing infant 
mortality and improving the health status of pregnant women and 
infants. With a focus on life course, ACIM addresses disparities in 
maternal health to improve maternal health outcomes, including 
preventing and reducing maternal mortality and severe maternal 
morbidity. HRSA is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to fill 
positions on the ACIM.

DATES: Written nominations for membership on the ACIM must be received 
on or before February 24, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Nomination packages must be submitted electronically as 
email attachments to David de la Cruz, the ACIM's Designated Federal 
Official, at: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David de la Cruz, Ph.D., MPH. Address: 
Maternal and Child Health Bureau, HRSA 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 18N25, 
Rockville, MD 20857; phone number: 301-443-0543; email: [email protected]. 
A copy of the ACIM charter and list of the current membership can be 
obtained by accessing the ACIM website at https://www.hrsa.gov/advisory-committees/Infant-Mortality/index.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ACIM was established in 1991 and advises 
the Secretary of HHS on Department activities and programs directed at 
reducing infant mortality and improving the health status of pregnant 
women and infants. The ACIM represents a public-private partnership at 
the highest level to provide guidance and focus attention on the 
policies and resources required to address the reduction of infant 
mortality and the improvement of the health status of pregnant women 
and infants. Women who experience conditions such as hypertension, 
malnutrition, substance use disorder, and/or diabetes during pregnancy 
are at an elevated risk of delivering a baby who is low birth weight or 
premature. These are two of the leading causes of infant mortality. The 
ACIM provides advice on how best to coordinate a myriad of federal, 
state, local, and private programs and efforts that are designed to 
deal with the health and social problems affecting infant mortality and 
maternal health including implementation of the Healthy Start program 
and the maternal and infant health objectives from the National Health 
Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives.
    Nominations: HRSA is requesting nominations for voting members to 
serve as Special Government Employees (SGEs) on the ACIM. The Secretary 
appoints up to 21 members for a term of up to 4 years. Nominees should 
include medical, technical, or scientific professionals with special 
expertise in the field of maternal and child health, in particular 
infant mortality and related health disparities; members of the public 
having special expertise about or concern with infant mortality; and/or 
representatives from such public health constituencies, consumers, and 
medical professional societies. Interested applicants may self-nominate 
or be nominated by another individual or organization.
    Members appointed as SGEs receive a stipend and reimbursement for 
per diem and travel expenses incurred for attending the ACIM meetings 
and/or conducting other business on behalf of the ACIM, as authorized 
by 5 U.S.C. 5703 for persons employed intermittently in government 
service. The ACIM meets approximately twice per year.
    The following information must be included in the package of 
materials submitted for each individual being nominated for 
consideration: (1) A statement that includes the name and affiliation 
of the nominee and a clear statement regarding the basis for the 
nomination, including the area(s) of expertise that may qualify a 
nominee for service on the ACIM, as described above; (2) confirmation 
the nominee is willing to serve as a member of the ACIM; (3) the 
nominee's contact information (please include home address, work 
address, daytime

[[Page 4330]]

telephone number, and an email address); and (4) a current copy of the 
nominee's curriculum vitae. Nomination packages may be submitted 
directly by the individual being nominated or by the person/
organization recommending the candidate.
    HHS endeavors to ensure that the membership of the ACIM is fairly 
balanced in terms of points of view represented and that individuals 
from a broad representation of geographic areas, gender, and ethnic and 
minority groups, as well as individuals with disabilities, are 
considered for membership. Appointments shall be made without 
discrimination on the basis of age, ethnicity, gender, sexual 
orientation, or cultural, religious, or socioeconomic status.
    Individuals who are selected to be considered for appointment will 
be required to provide detailed information regarding their financial 
holdings, consultancies, and research grants or contracts. Disclosure 
of this information is necessary in order for HRSA ethics officials to 
determine whether there is a potential conflict of interest between the 
SGE's public duties as a member of the ACIM and their private 
interests, including an appearance of a loss of impartiality as defined 
by federal laws and regulations, and to identify any required remedial 
action needed to address the potential conflict.

    Authority:  The ACIM was established under provisions of section 
222 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 217a), as amended. 
The ACIM is governed by provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (FACA), as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), as well as 41 CFR part 102-
3, which set forth standards for the formation and use of Advisory 
Committees.

Maria G. Button,
Director, Executive Secretariat.
[FR Doc. 2020-01129 Filed 1-23-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4165-15-P