[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 14, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38869-38870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-12741]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


CDC Town Hall Meeting Concerning Future Directions for the 
Regional Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Response

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), located 
within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announces a 
town hall meeting regarding the history and future of CDC-funded public 
health preparedness and response centers.

DATES: The town hall meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, 
from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. EDT.

ADDRESSES: The town hall meeting is a virtual meeting and is open to 
the public, limited only by the webcast lines available. Registration 
is required. For information about accessing the webcast, visit https://www.cdc.gov/orr/science/research.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Leinhos, Ph.D., Office of 
Readiness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop H21-5, Atlanta, Georgia 30329-4018; 
Phone: (770) 488-8619; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Purpose: The purpose of this town hall meeting is to provide an 
overview

[[Page 38870]]

and discussion of CDC-funded public health preparedness and response 
centers including the Centers for Public Health Preparedness and 
Response (CPHPs, 2004-2010), Preparedness and Response Learning Centers 
(PERLCs, 2010-2015), and Preparedness and Response Research Centers 
(PERRCs, 2008-2013). CDC seeks public input on opportunities and 
challenges for designing and implementing a network of regional centers 
for public health preparedness and response consistent with section 
319F of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6), as amended by 
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, sec. 2231 (https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2617?r=1&s=3).
    How town hall meeting input will be used: As appropriate, future 
funding opportunities will use input from town hall participants, 
including the following: (1) examples of past successful activities and 
strategies; (2) potential partnership opportunities between CDC and 
awardees; and (3) types of technical assistance that would benefit 
funded projects.
    Matters to be considered: The agenda will include presentations and 
discussions on three topic areas: (1) strengths and limitations of past 
CPHP, PERLC, PERRC and similar programs; (2) new program priorities as 
directed by sec. 2231 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023; and 
(3) discussion of how best to meet state, territorial, local, and 
tribal public health preparedness and response needs in the design, 
implementation, and coordination of regional centers under the new 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, sec. 2231 language. There will 
be prepared presentations, discussions among presenters and panelists, 
and a period for questions and public comments. Agenda items are 
subject to change as priorities dictate.
    Specific questions for the public to consider: The goal of the new 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, sec. 2231 language is to 
implement a network of regional centers for public health preparedness 
and response for the purpose of increasing uptake of evidence-based 
preparedness and response programs. What have we learned from past 
CPHP, PERLC, PERRC and similar programs that will increase 
opportunities to reach this goal? How might CDC and funded regional 
centers leverage other initiatives and partners to enhance the evidence 
base and its implementation? Section 319F requires award recipients to 
coordinate with state, local, and tribal health departments and 
officials, health care facilities, and health care coalitions. Are 
there other entities that could be engaged at the regional level that 
members of the public recommend be included or informed about this 
work? What are the greatest public health preparedness and response 
needs that should be addressed to support the goals of section 319F in 
the regions?
    Background: CDC's Office of Readiness and Response is hosting the 
town hall meeting with invited speakers representing public health and 
healthcare preparedness partners nationwide including from academia, 
government, and national associations to address new authorization 
language requiring the establishment and maintenance of a network of 
regional centers for public health preparedness and response.
    CDC commissioned the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, 
and Medicine to address a longstanding need for a comprehensive, 
systematic review and grading of public health emergency preparedness 
and response (PHEPR) evidence for practice. The resulting 2020 
consensus study report, Evidence-Based Practice for Public Health 
Emergency Preparedness and Response (https://doi.org/10.17226/25650), 
reviews the status of evidence on PHEPR practices and the improvements 
needed to advance the field and strengthen the PHEPR system. The report 
provides recommendations seeking to strengthen PHEPR research and 
support effective and sound evidence-based PHEPR practice.
    Section 2231 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 amended 
section 319F to incorporate new requirements and priorities for 
establishing or maintaining a network of Centers for Public Health 
Preparedness and Response, including coordination of activities with 
partners and implementation of evidence-informed or evidence-based 
PHEPR practices.
    The discussion and feedback generated during the town hall will 
assist CDC in developing program guidance related to workplan 
development and overall structure of regional coordinating bodies. 
Ultimately, feedback will be used to inform the establishment and 
maintenance of a network of regional centers. Participants may provide 
individual feedback or perspectives. CDC is not seeking consensus 
advice or recommendations from participants.

    Dated: June 9, 2023.
Tiffany Brown,
Executive Secretary, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2023-12741 Filed 6-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P