Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality (Formerly the Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality)

AGENCY:

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this notice announces that the Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality (ACIMM) has scheduled a public meeting. Information about ACIMM and the agenda for this meeting can be found on the ACIMM website at https://www.hrsa.gov/advisory-committees/infant-mortality/index.html.

DATES:

December 14, 2021, 12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Eastern Time and December 15, 2021, 12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

ADDRESSES:

This meeting will be held via webinar. The webinar link and log-in information will be available at the ACIMM website before the meeting: https://www.hrsa.gov/advisory-committees/infant-mortality/index.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Vanessa Lee, MPH, Designated Federal Official, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, HRSA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 18N84, Rockville, Maryland 20857; 301-443-0543; or SACIM@hrsa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

ACIMM is authorized by section 222 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 217a), as amended. The Committee is governed by provisions of Public Law 92-463, as amended, (5 U.S.C. app. 2), which sets forth standards for the formation and use of Advisory Committees.

The ACIMM advises the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) on department activities, partnerships, policies, and programs directed at reducing infant mortality, maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, and improving the health status of infants and women before, during, and after pregnancy. The Committee provides advice on how to coordinate federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governmental efforts designed to improve infant mortality, related adverse birth outcomes, and maternal health, as well as influence similar efforts in the private and voluntary sectors. The Committee provides guidance and recommendations on the policies, programs, and resources required to address the disparities and inequities in infant mortality, related adverse birth outcomes and maternal health outcomes, including maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity. With its focus on underlying causes of the disparities and inequities seen in birth outcomes for women and infants, the Committee advises the Secretary on the health, social, economic, and environmental factors contributing to the inequities and proposes structural, policy, and/or systems level changes.

The agenda for the December 14-15, 2021, meeting is being finalized and may include the following topics: Federal program updates; COVID-19 updates; health of indigenous mothers and infants; birth defects and congenital anomalies; the impact of housing and eviction on birth outcomes; and state/community projects to improve maternal and infant health. Agenda items are subject to change as priorities dictate. Refer to the ACIMM website listed above for any updated information concerning the meeting.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to provide written or oral comments. Requests to submit a written statement or make oral comments to ACIMM should be sent to Vanessa Lee, using the email address above at least 3 business days prior to the meeting. Public participants may submit written statements in advance of the scheduled meeting by emailing SACIM@hrsa.gov. Oral comments will be honored in the order they are requested and may be limited as time allows.

Individuals who plan to attend and need special assistance or some reasonable accommodation should notify Vanessa Lee at the contact information listed above at least 10 business days prior to the meeting.