E6-9920. 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 404-639-5960 and send comments to Seleda Perryman, CDC Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D74, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail to [e-mail].

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. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2007-2009, (OMB No. 0920-0214)—Revision—National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

Section 306 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 242k) authorizes that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (DHHS), acting through NCHS, shall collect statistics on the extent and nature of illness and disability of the population of the United States.

The annual National Health Interview Survey is a major source of general statistics on the health of the U.S. population and has been in the field every year since 1957. This household-based survey collects demographic and health-related information on a nationally representative sample of households throughout the country. The survey has three modules: The family module collects information on everyone in the family; the sample adult module collects more detailed information on a randomly selected adult; and the sample child module collects information on a randomly selected child (in households with children). Information is collected using computer assisted personal interviews (CAPI). A core set of data is collected each year while sponsored supplements vary from year to year. In addition to the core data collection, in 2007 there will be two new supplements, which will provide additional data on complementary and alternative medicine (including questions on topics such as acupuncture, chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, meditation, natural herbs, and yoga) and on hearing disorders (such as hearing loss and tinnitus). These supplements are sponsored by the National Center on Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, both parts of the National Institutes of Health.

In accordance with the 1995 initiative to increase the integration of surveys within the Department of Health and Human Services, respondents to the NHIS serve as the sampling frame for the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The NHIS has long been used by government, university, and private researchers to evaluate both general health and specific issues, such as cancer, diabetes, and access to health care. It is a leading source of data for the Congressionally-mandated “Health US” and related publications, as well as the single most important source of statistics to track progress toward the National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives, “Healthy People 2010.”

There is no cost to the respondents other than their time.

Estimated Annualized Burden Hours

Respondents	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden per response (in hrs.)	Total burden hours
Family member	39,000	1	21/60	13,650
Sample adult	32,000	1	42/60	22,400
Sample child	13,000	1	15/60	3,250
Total				39,300

Dated: June 16, 2006.

Joan F. Karr,

Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.