[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 145 (Monday, August 2, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41472-41473]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16377]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-21-21EE]


Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the information 
collection request titled Integrated Viral Hepatitis Surveillance and 
Prevention Funding for Health Departments (CDC-RFA-PS21-2103) to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. CDC 
previously published a ``Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations'' notice on April 16, 2021 to obtain 
comments from the public and affected agencies. CDC received two 
comments related to the previous notice. This notice serves to allow an 
additional 30 days for public and affected agency comments.
    CDC will accept all comments for this proposed information 
collection project. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly 
interested in comments that:
    (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

[[Page 41473]]

    (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. Comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function. Direct 
written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in 
this notice to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management 
and Budget, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 
395-5806. Provide written comments within 30 days of notice 
publication.

Proposed Project

    Integrated Viral Hepatitis Surveillance and Prevention Funding for 
Health Departments (CDC-RFA-PS21-2103)--New--National Center for HIV/
AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    In 2021, CDC is implementing activities under a new cooperative 
agreement Integrated Viral Hepatitis Surveillance and Prevention 
Funding for Health Departments (CDC-RFA-PS21-2103). Tools exist to 
prevent new cases of hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, to 
treat people living with hepatitis B, and to cure people living with 
hepatitis C. Yet, new cases of viral hepatitis (VH) continue to rise, 
many people infected with VH remain undiagnosed, and far too many VH-
related deaths occur in the US each year. The purpose of the activities 
under this new cooperative agreement is to enable states to collect 
data to evaluate disease burden and trends, and to analyze and 
disseminate that data to develop or refine recommendations, policies, 
and practices that will ultimately reduce the burden of VH in their 
jurisdictions. The goals of the activities are to reduce new VH 
infections, VH-related morbidity and mortality, and VH-related 
disparities, and to establish comprehensive national VH surveillance, 
which are in accordance with the Division of Viral Hepatitis 2025 
Strategic Plan.
    The activities of the new cooperative agreement are divided into 
two components (Component 1: Surveillance, and Component 2: 
Prevention), containing six strategies: 1.1, develop, implement, and 
maintain a plan to rapidly detect and respond to outbreaks for 
hepatitis A, B, and C; 1.2, collect, analyze, interpret, and 
disseminate data to characterize trends, and implement public health 
interventions for hepatitis A, acute hepatitis B and acute and chronic 
hepatitis C; 1.3 (contingent on available funding), collect, analyze, 
interpret, and disseminate data to characterize trends and implement 
public health interventions for chronic hepatitis B and perinatal 
hepatitis C; 2.1, support VH elimination planning and surveillance, and 
maximize access to testing, treatment, and prevention; 2.2 (contingent 
on available funding), increase access to HCV and HBV testing and 
referral to care in high-impact settings; and 2.3 (contingent on 
available funding), improve access to services preventing VH among 
persons who inject drugs. Contingent on funding, an optional component 
(Component 3: Special Projects) will support improved access to 
prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of viral, bacterial and fungal 
infections related to drug use in settings disproportionately affected 
by drug use.
    Viral hepatitis case surveillance data will be collected per each 
jurisdiction's usual mechanism using variables that have been approved 
by OMB separately (OMB Control No. 0920-0728). Performance measures 
will be monitored to assess recipient performance, including quality of 
data, effective program implementation, and accountability of funds. 
Data collection via the Annual Performance Report will be used for 
program accountability and to inform performance improvement. Outbreak 
reporting will also be submitted throughout the year. These data, which 
complement case data as another key component of national viral 
hepatitis surveillance, are critical to determining both the level of 
viral hepatitis activity within a jurisdiction as well as the 
effectiveness of each jurisdiction's approach to cluster and outbreak 
response.
    CDC requests approval for an estimated 240 annual burden hours. 
There is no cost to respondents other than their time.

Estimated Annualized Burden Hours

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                                                                                                      Average
                                                                     Number of       Number of      burden per
          Type of respondents                   Form name           respondents    responses per   response  (in
                                                                                    respondent        hours)
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Health Departments....................  APR: Component 1........              59               1               1
Health Departments....................  APR: Component 2........              59               1               1
Health Departments....................  APR: Component 3........              14               1               1
Health Departments....................  Initial Outbreak Report               59               2           20/60
                                         Form.
Health Departments....................  Outbreak Summary Report               59               2           20/60
                                         Form.
Health Departments....................  Acute Viral Hepatitis                 59               1           30/60
                                         Case Reporting.
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Jeffrey M. Zirger,
Lead, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific 
Integrity, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2021-16377 Filed 7-30-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P