2021-14686. Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment to the CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STD Prevention and Treatment (CHACHSPT)

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking nominations for membership on the CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STD Prevention and Treatment (CHACHSPT). The CHACHSPT consists of 18 experts in fields associated with public health; epidemiology; laboratory practice; immunology; infectious diseases; drug abuse; behavioral science; health education; healthcare delivery; state health programs; clinical care; preventive health; medical education; health services and clinical research; and healthcare financing, who are selected by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

DATES:

Nominations for membership on the CHACHSPT must be received no later than August 31, 2021. Packages received after this time will not be considered for the current membership cycle.

ADDRESSES:

All nominations should be electronically mailed to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Staci Morris, M.S., Committee Management Specialist, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC, Atlanta, Georgia 30329-4027; Telephone: [phone]; [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Secretary of HHS, and by delegation, the CDC Director and the HRSA Administrator, are authorized by the PHS 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 related to the cases, 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 living with or at risk for HIV, viral hepatitis, and other STDs; and (6) advance the education of health professionals and the public from HIV, viral hepatitis, and other STDs.

The CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on HIV and STD Prevention and Treatment meets at least two times each calendar year, or at the discretion of the Designated Federal Officer in consultation with the CHACHSPT co-chairs.

The CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on HIV and STD Prevention and Treatment shall advise the Director, CDC, and the Administrator, HRSA, regarding objectives, strategies, policies, and priorities for HIV, viral hepatitis, and other STD prevention and treatment efforts, including surveillance of HIV infection, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), viral hepatitis, other STDs, and related behaviors; epidemiologic, behavioral, health services, and laboratory research on HIV, viral hepatitis, and other STDs; identification of policy issues related to HIV/viral hepatitis/STD professional education, patient healthcare delivery, and prevention services; agency policies about prevention of HIV, viral hepatitis and other STDs, treatment, healthcare delivery, and research and training; strategic issues influencing the ability of CDC and HRSA to fulfill their missions of providing prevention and treatment services; programmatic efforts to prevent and treat HIV, viral hepatitis, and other STDs; and support to the agencies in their development of responses to emerging health needs related to HIV, viral hepatitis and other STDs.

Nominations are being sought for individuals who have expertise and qualifications necessary to contribute to the accomplishments of the committee's objectives. Nominees will be selected based on expertise in the fields of public health; epidemiology; laboratory practice; immunology; infectious diseases; drug abuse; behavioral science; health education; healthcare delivery; state health programs; clinical care; preventive health; medical education; health services and clinical research; and healthcare financing. The Committee shall also include representation of persons with HIV and other affected populations; state and local health and education agencies; HIV/viral hepatitis/STD community-based organizations; and the ethics or faith-based community. Federal employees will not be considered for membership. Members may be invited to serve for up to four-year terms.

Selection of members is based on candidates' qualifications to contribute to the accomplishment of CHACHSPT objectives. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 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. Committee members are Special Government Employees (SGEs), requiring the filing of financial disclosure reports at the beginning 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 members of CHACHSPT and their 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 reviews potential candidates for CHACHSPT membership when a vacancy arises and provides a slate of nominees for consideration to the Secretary of HHS for final selection. HHS notifies selected candidates of their appointment near the start of the term in December 1, 2021, or as soon as the HHS selection process has been completed. Note that the need for different expertise varies from year to year and a candidate who is not selected for an open position may be reconsidered for a subsequent open position. SGE nominees must be U.S. citizens, and cannot be full-time employees of the U.S. Government. Candidates should submit the following items:

Current curriculum vitae or resume, including complete contact information (telephone numbers, mailing address, email address).

At least one letter of recommendation from person(s) not employed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

(Candidates may submit letters(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, NIH, FDA, etc.).

A biographical sketch of the nominee (500 words or fewer).

A letter of interest or personal statement from the nominee stating how their expertise would inform the work of CHACHSPT.

Nominations may be submitted directly by the individual seeking nomination or by the person/organization recommending the candidate.

The Director, Strategic Business Initiatives Unit, 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, Strategic Business Initiatives Unit, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.