[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 130 (Monday, July 12, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36549-36550]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14686]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment to the CDC/HRSA 
Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STD Prevention and 
Treatment (CHACHSPT)

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is 
seeking nominations for membership on the CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee 
on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STD Prevention and Treatment (CHACHSPT). 
The CHACHSPT consists of 18 experts in fields associated with public 
health; epidemiology; laboratory practice; immunology; infectious 
diseases; drug abuse; behavioral science; health education; healthcare 
delivery; state health programs; clinical care; preventive health; 
medical education; health services and clinical research; and 
healthcare financing, who are selected by the Secretary of the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

DATES: Nominations for membership on the CHACHSPT must be received no 
later than August 31, 2021. Packages received after this time will not 
be considered for the current membership cycle.

ADDRESSES: All nominations should be electronically mailed to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Staci Morris, M.S., Committee 
Management Specialist, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, 
STD, and TB Prevention, CDC, Atlanta, Georgia 30329-4027; Telephone: 
(404) 718-7479; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Secretary of HHS, and by delegation, the 
CDC Director and the HRSA Administrator, are authorized by the PHS Act 
to: (1) Conduct, encourage, cooperate with, and assist other 
appropriate public health authorities, scientific institutions, and 
scientists in the conduct of research, investigations, experiments, 
demonstrations, and studies related to the cases, diagnosis, treatment, 
control, and prevention of physical and mental diseases, and other 
impairments; (2) assist states and their political subdivisions in 
preventing, suppressing, and treating communicable diseases and other 
preventable conditions and in promoting health and well-being; (3) 
assist public and non-profit private entities in preventing, 
controlling and treating sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), 
including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV); (4) improve health 
and achieve health equity through access to quality services and a 
skilled health workforce and innovative programs; (5) support 
healthcare services to persons living with or at risk for HIV, viral 
hepatitis,

[[Page 36550]]

and other STDs; and (6) advance the education of health professionals 
and the public from HIV, viral hepatitis, and other STDs.
    The CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on HIV and STD Prevention and 
Treatment meets at least two times each calendar year, or at the 
discretion of the Designated Federal Officer in consultation with the 
CHACHSPT co-chairs.
    The CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on HIV and STD Prevention and 
Treatment shall advise the Director, CDC, and the Administrator, HRSA, 
regarding objectives, strategies, policies, and priorities for HIV, 
viral hepatitis, and other STD prevention and treatment efforts, 
including surveillance of HIV infection, Acquired Immunodeficiency 
Syndrome (AIDS), viral hepatitis, other STDs, and related behaviors; 
epidemiologic, behavioral, health services, and laboratory research on 
HIV, viral hepatitis, and other STDs; identification of policy issues 
related to HIV/viral hepatitis/STD professional education, patient 
healthcare delivery, and prevention services; agency policies about 
prevention of HIV, viral hepatitis and other STDs, treatment, 
healthcare delivery, and research and training; strategic issues 
influencing the ability of CDC and HRSA to fulfill their missions of 
providing prevention and treatment services; programmatic efforts to 
prevent and treat HIV, viral hepatitis, and other STDs; and support to 
the agencies in their development of responses to emerging health needs 
related to HIV, viral hepatitis and other STDs.
    Nominations are being sought for individuals who have expertise and 
qualifications necessary to contribute to the accomplishments of the 
committee's objectives. Nominees will be selected based on expertise in 
the fields of public health; epidemiology; laboratory practice; 
immunology; infectious diseases; drug abuse; behavioral science; health 
education; healthcare delivery; state health programs; clinical care; 
preventive health; medical education; health services and clinical 
research; and healthcare financing. The Committee shall also include 
representation of persons with HIV and other affected populations; 
state and local health and education agencies; HIV/viral hepatitis/STD 
community-based organizations; and the ethics or faith-based community. 
Federal employees will not be considered for membership. Members may be 
invited to serve for up to four-year terms.
    Selection of members is based on candidates' qualifications to 
contribute to the accomplishment of CHACHSPT objectives. The U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services policy stipulates that 
committee membership be balanced in terms of points of view 
represented, and the committee's function. Appointments shall be made 
without discrimination on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, gender, 
sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status, disability, and 
cultural, religious, or socioeconomic status. Nominees must be U.S. 
citizens, and cannot be full-time employees of the U.S. Government. 
Current participation on federal workgroups or prior experience serving 
on a federal advisory committee does not disqualify a candidate; 
however, HHS policy is to avoid excessive individual service on 
advisory committees and multiple committee memberships. Committee 
members are Special Government Employees (SGEs), requiring the filing 
of financial disclosure reports at the beginning and annually during 
their terms. Individuals who are selected for appointment will be 
required to provide detailed information regarding their financial 
interests and, for example, any work they do for the federal government 
through research grants or contracts. Disclosure of this information is 
required in order for CDC ethics officials to determine whether there 
is a conflict between the SGE's public duties as members of CHACHSPT 
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. CDC reviews potential candidates for CHACHSPT membership when 
a vacancy arises and provides a slate of nominees for consideration to 
the Secretary of HHS for final selection. HHS notifies selected 
candidates of their appointment near the start of the term in December 
1, 2021, or as soon as the HHS selection process has been completed. 
Note that the need for different expertise varies from year to year and 
a candidate who is not selected for an open position may be 
reconsidered for a subsequent open position. SGE nominees must be U.S. 
citizens, and cannot be full-time employees of the U.S. Government. 
Candidates should submit the following items:
    [ssquf] Current curriculum vitae or resume, including complete 
contact information (telephone numbers, mailing address, email 
address).
    [ssquf] At least one letter of recommendation from person(s) not 
employed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
    (Candidates may submit letters(s) from current HHS employees if 
they wish, but at least one letter must be submitted by a person not 
employed by an HHS agency (e.g., CDC, NIH, FDA, etc.).
    [ssquf] A biographical sketch of the nominee (500 words or fewer).
    [ssquf] A letter of interest or personal statement from the nominee 
stating how their expertise would inform the work of CHACHSPT.
    Nominations may be submitted directly by the individual seeking 
nomination or by the person/organization recommending the candidate.
    The Director, Strategic Business Initiatives Unit, Office of the 
Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
has been delegated the authority to sign Federal Register notices 
pertaining to announcements of meetings and other committee management 
activities, for both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and 
the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Kalwant Smagh,
Director, Strategic Business Initiatives Unit, Office of the Chief 
Operating Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2021-14686 Filed 7-9-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P