[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 213 (Monday, November 8, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61769-61770]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24359]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Announcing Solicitation of Written Comments and Call for 
Nominations To Inform Development of the Physical Activity Guidelines 
Midcourse Report on Older Adults

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeks 
public input in two forms: (1) Written comments to help inform the 
scope and development of the Physical Activity Guidelines (PAG) 
Midcourse Report on older adults and (2) nominations of qualified 
candidates to support the development of the report through systematic 
review of the scientific literature related to physical activity and 
older adults.

DATES: Written comments and nominations will be accepted through 11:59 
p.m. E.T. on December 8, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and nominations should be submitted by 
email to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katrina L. Piercy, Ph.D., R.D., Office 
of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), HHS; 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 
420; Rockville, MD 20852; Telephone: (240) 453-8280.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Physical Activity Guidelines for 
Americans (PAG) provides science-based recommendations on how physical 
activity can help promote health and reduce the risk of chronic 
disease. The PAG serves as the benchmark and primary, authoritative 
voice of the federal government for providing science-based guidance on 
physical activity, fitness, and health in the United States. The U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the first 
edition in 2008 and the second edition in 2018. In 2013, HHS released a 
midcourse report highlighting strategies to increase physical activity 
among youth. The PAG and related reports are available at 
www.health.gov/paguidelines. The Office of Disease Prevention and 
Health Promotion (ODPHP), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 
and the President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition (PCSFN), 
intends to develop a midcourse report for release in 2023. A 
subcommittee of the PCSFN will be convened to conduct a literature 
review and summarize findings which will support the development of the 
midcourse report.
    The midcourse report will further reinforce and disseminate the PAG 
and the importance of regular physical activity. Despite the many 
benefits of physical activity for older adults, only 13.9% of adults 
over age 65 meet the aerobic and muscle-strengthening key guidelines 
(2018 data from National Health Interview Survey). Therefore, the next 
PAG Midcourse Report will focus on how to increase physical activity 
levels among older adults.
    Overview: The PAG Midcourse Report will use the strong science base 
from the PAG published in 2018, which details the amounts and types of 
physical activity needed for a variety of short- and long-term benefits 
for older adults (see https://health.gov/PAguidelines) and the World 
Health Organization review of effective interventions for older adults 
(see https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-021-01140-9). This midcourse report seeks to:
    1. Highlight key components of intervention strategies that have 
been shown to be effective in increasing physical activity levels among 
older adults.
    2. Identify settings where physical activity messaging/
encouragement would be relevant to older adults.
    3. Highlight policy, systems, and environmental interventions 
particularly important to this population to increase physical 
activity.
    4. Summarize effective strategies to overcome barriers and 
limitations to implementing the above interventions, including (where 
evidence is available):
    a. Emphasize equity and reduce disparities in participation, 
including among individuals with disabilities and individuals of 
racial/ethnic groups.
    b. Highlight strategies to bolster mental health, build resilience, 
or enhance social connectedness.
    Written comments: Based on the above outline, HHS requests input on 
how this midcourse report can best support decision makers, health 
professionals, educators, and others working to promote or implement 
physical activity among older adults in a variety of settings. For 
example, (1) are there other related areas this report should address 
that would inform and guide your work with this population? and (2) 
What information or knowledge gaps do you experience in your work that 
could be supported by a midcourse report? Comments will be accepted via 
email to [email protected] until 11:59 p.m. E.T. on December 8, 2021. 
HHS may contact respondents regarding their submissions to ask for 
clarification if needed.

[[Page 61770]]

    Role of the Subcommittee: The subcommittee will work with a 
literature review team to review the evidence on effective strategies 
to achieve the PAG among older adults (aerobic, muscle-strengthening, 
balance, multicomponent). The subcommittee will be tasked to evaluate 
the scientific literature, grade the evidence, and summarize the 
science related to strategies to increase physical activity among older 
adults and to identify research gaps. The subcommittee will deliver its 
findings in a written report to the PCSFN for discussion and 
deliberation. The federal steering committee will use the report to 
inform the PAG Midcourse Report. The subcommittee is expected to be 
engaged throughout calendar year 2022, primarily through video and/or 
phone meetings.
    Nominations for the Subcommittee: HHS will consider nominations, 
including self-nominations, for individuals qualified to carry out the 
above-mentioned tasks. Nominees must have an advanced degree and 
expertise reviewing scientific literature in the fields of physical 
activity, health promotion/disease prevention, gerontology/aging, 
public health, built environment/community design, health policy, 
psychology, and/or implementation science. Nominees must also currently 
reside in the United States. The following information should be 
included in the package of material submitted for each individual being 
nominated for consideration: (1) The name, address, daytime telephone 
number, and email address of the nominator and the individual being 
nominated; (2) a letter of nomination that clearly states the name and 
affiliation of the nominee, the basis for the nomination (i.e., 
specific attributes which qualify the nominee for service in this 
capacity), and a statement from the nominee that the nominee is willing 
to serve on a subcommittee to support development of the PAG Midcourse 
Report; and (3) a current copy of the nominee's curriculum vitae (CV) 
no more than 10 pages in length. Inclusion of the following is 
requested in the CV: (1) Current position, (2) current and/or past 
grant awards, (3) publications showing breadth and experience in areas 
of specialization, (4) paid and non-paid board and advisory 
appointments, and (5) education and occupational history.
    All nominations must include the required information. Incomplete 
nominations will not be processed for consideration. All nomination 
information should be sent in a single email, with attachments, to 
[email protected]. All nominations must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. 
E.T. on December 8, 2021.
    Equal opportunity practices regarding acceptance to this committee 
will be aligned with HHS policies. When possible, every effort will be 
made to ensure that the committee includes a diverse group of 
individuals with representation from various geographic locations, 
racial and ethnic minorities, all genders, and persons with 
disabilities. Individuals will be selected to represent balanced 
viewpoints of the scientific evidence, not to represent the viewpoints 
of any specific group.

Paul Reed,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, RADM, U.S. Public Health 
Service, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
[FR Doc. 2021-24359 Filed 11-5-21; 8:45 am]
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