[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 78 (Monday, April 22, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29335-29336]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08447]


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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

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

ACTION: Notice.

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

DATES: Nominations for membership on CHAC must be received no later 
than October 1, 2024. Packages received after

[[Page 29336]]

this time will not be considered for the current membership cycle.

ADDRESSES: All nominations should be emailed to [email protected] 
with the subject line ``CHAC 2025 Nomination.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marah Condit, M.S., Committee 
Management Lead, Office of Policy, Planning, and Partnerships, National 
Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop US8-6, 
Atlanta, Georgia 30329-4027. Telephone: (404) 639-3423; Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Secretary, Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS), and by delegation, the Director, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Administrator, Health 
Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), are authorized by the 
Public Health Service 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 relating to 
the causes, 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 with or who experience risk for 
HIV, viral hepatitis, and other STDs; (6) advance the education of 
health professionals and the public about HIV, viral hepatitis, and 
other STDs; and (7) improve adolescent and school health as it pertains 
to HIV, viral hepatitis, and STDs.
    The CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STD 
Prevention and Treatment (CHAC) meets at least two times each calendar 
year, or at the discretion of the Designated Federal Officers in 
consultation with the CHAC co-chairs.
    HHS 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. The 
CHAC charter stipulates that the Committee must include at least four 
members who are persons with HIV. The Committee may also include 
representation from persons with lived experience, such as those who 
have experienced viral hepatitis, STDs, and drug use; state and local 
health and education agencies; HIV/viral hepatitis/STD community-based 
organizations; and the ethics or faith-based community.
    Committee members are Special Government Employees, requiring the 
filing of financial disclosure reports at the beginning of 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 a member of CHAC and 
the SGE's 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 and HRSA review potential candidates for CHAC membership when a 
vacancy arises and provide a slate of nominees for consideration to the 
Secretary of HHS for final selection. CDC and HRSA each publish a 
Federal Register notice and will be using a joint process to nominate 
nominees on a rolling basis; thus, applications received by CDC will be 
shared with HRSA for consideration. Therefore, potential candidates 
need only apply in response to one of the Federal Register notices. HHS 
notifies selected candidates of their appointment near the start of the 
term in December 2025, or as soon as the HHS selection process is 
completed. Note that the need for different expertise varies from year 
to year and a candidate who is not selected in one year may be 
reconsidered in a subsequent year.
    Candidates should submit the following items:
    [ssquf] A letter of interest or personal statement from the nominee 
stating how the nominee's expertise would inform the work of CHAC
    [ssquf] A biographical sketch of the nominee (500 words or fewer)
    [ssquf] Current curriculum vitae or resume, including complete 
contact information (telephone numbers, mailing address, and email 
address)
    [ssquf] At least one letter of recommendation from person(s) not 
employed by HHS. Candidates may submit letter(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, National Institutes of 
Health, Food and Drug Administration).
    Nominations may be submitted by the candidate or by the person/
organization recommending the candidate. CDC and HRSA will collect and 
retain nominations received for up to two years to create a pool of 
potential CHAC nominees. When a vacancy occurs, CDC and HRSA will 
review nominations and may contact nominees at that time.
    The Director, Office of Strategic Business Initiatives, 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, Office of Strategic Business Initiatives, Office of the Chief 
Operating Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2024-08447 Filed 4-19-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P