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, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is providing opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection 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) 639-7090.

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 for 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

Evaluation of ATSDR Activities Among Priority Populations—New—The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is mandated pursuant to the 1980 Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and its 1986 Amendments, The Superfund Amendments and Re-authorization Act (SARA), to prevent or mitigate adverse human health effects and diminished quality of life resulting from the exposure to hazardous substances into the environment.

As the agency responsible for determining the nature and extent of health problems at Superfund sites, ATSDR staff conduct public health assessments, health consultations and studies that serve as the basis for intervention strategies. ATSDR staff develop and disseminate to the public scientific and technical reports on the health effects of hazardous substances. Additionally, ATSDR staff collaborate with other governmental agencies, external partners and organizations to create and implement health services, educational and preventive programs.

To date, however, ATSDR has not conducted agency-wide quantitative research to evaluate the effectiveness of its services, products and programs. ATSDR staff is seeking information from its priority populations to determine their awareness of, access to and utilization of ATSDR products, programs and services. ATSDR staff will also evaluate whether priority populations derived health benefits from interventions.

ATSDR's priority populations include individuals, health care providers, health department officials and members of community organizations who live within two miles of National Priority Sites. Randomly stratified samples of individuals in these priority populations will be selected and asked to answer a questionnaire on two separate occasions within the three-year project. The questionnaire will be designed to use Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) so that respondent burden can be reduced.

ATSDR will use the data from this study to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of health promotion and intervention activities in communities. This will translate into more effective organizational decisions on resource utilization, improved performance, and assessment of the future direction of the agency.

The total annual burden hours are 2,200.