[Federal Register: October 10, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 197)]
[Notices]               
[Page 58688-58689]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10oc03-69]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-04-01]

 
Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on 
proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. 
To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a 
copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call the CDC Reports 
Clearance Officer on (404) 498-1210.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology. Send comments to Seleda Perryman, CDC 
Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D24, 
Atlanta, GA 30333. Written comments should be received within 60 days 
of this notice.
    Proposed Project: Survey Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Chronic 
Unwellness in Georgia--New--National Center for Infectious Diseases 
(NCID), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
    Congress commissioned CDC to develop research that estimates the 
magnitude of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in the United States with 
special consideration of under-served populations (children and racial/
ethnic minorities); describe the clinical features of CFS; and identify 
risk factors and diagnostic markers. CDC is currently planning a study 
in Georgia to estimate the prevalence of CFS and other fatigue 
illnesses and to determine whether or not there are differences in 
occurrence of fatigue illness across metropolitan, urban, rural 
populations and in racial and ethnic populations.
    In 2001, OMB approved the information collection, National 
Telephone Survey of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, under OMB Number 0920-
0498. In July 2001, CDC conducted a pilot survey to determine 
feasibility of a national study and to test procedures for this 
national survey of CFS. The pilot study showed that clinical evaluation 
to confirm classification of CFS was not practical on a national level, 
and the planned follow-on national survey was not conducted.
    CDC has since modified the concept of the National Survey of CFS by 
limiting data collection to one southern U.S. state (Georgia). This 
modified research is better able to serve the objectives of the 
National Survey of CFS and additional CDC objectives. Reasons 
supporting this statement are listed below.
    [sbull] Logistics. A difficulty in the Pilot Test was matching 
subjects and physicians for clinical evaluations because subjects were 
scattered across the continent. Focusing on a single state allows 
operation of regional clinics and greater opportunities for 
collaboration between and among CDC, Emory University, and consultants.
    [sbull] Metropolitan, urban, and rural differences. Pilot Test 
results suggest no regional differences in the occurrence of CFS-like 
illnesses between and among the Midwest, south, west, and northeast, so 
concentrating on one state (Georgia) should provide more generalized 
information. Pilot Test findings suggested that further exploration of 
urban and rural differences might prove useful. Again, Georgia well-
serves such a study with a major metropolitan center (Atlanta), urban 
areas (Macon and Warner Robins), and rural populations (in counties 
surrounding Macon) with well-defined regional differences.
    [sbull] Racial/ethnic differences. The prevalence of CFS in other 
than the white population has not been definitively measured, although 
some studies indicate CFS prevalence in minority populations may be 
higher than generally thought. Georgia has well-characterized urban and 
rural as well as white, black, and Hispanic populations of varying 
socioeconomic status living in the regions to be studied. The presence 
of these populations is ideal for public health surveys. Taken 
together, the proposed Georgia survey will produce estimates of the 
prevalence of CFS in metropolitan, urban, and rural populations and 
will elucidate racial/ethnic differences in CFS in these populations.
    The proposed study replicates the Sedgwick County Study and the 
National Pilot Test using similar methodology and data collection 
instruments. The study begins with a random-digit-dialing telephone 
survey to identify fatigued, unwell, and well individuals, followed by 
detailed telephone interviews to obtain additional data on participant 
health status. As a result of the telephone interviews, eligible 
subjects will be asked to participate in clinical evaluations. CDC will 
estimate the prevalence of CFS and other fatigue illnesses in 
metropolitan, urban, and rural Georgia and in racial and ethnic 
populations. CDC will compare prevalence estimates from this proposed 
study of the Georgia population to estimates obtained for Sedgwick 
County to ascertain whether or not Sedgwick County findings can be 
generalized to other populations. There is no cost to respondents.

[[Page 58689]]



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                                                                              Number    Avg. burden/    Total
                         Respondents                           Number of    responses/    response   burden  (in
                                                              respondents   respondent   (in hours)     hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Screener interview..........................................       19,344            1         5/60        1,612
Telephone interview.........................................        8,000            1        30/60        4,000
                                                             --------------
    Total...................................................       27,344  ...........  ...........        5,612
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    Dated: October 3, 2003.
Nancy E. Cheal,
Acting Associate Director for Policy, Planning and Evaluation, Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-25695 Filed 10-9-03; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4163-18-P