2012-20675. 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 404-639-7570 and send comments to Kimberly S. Lane, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D74, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an email 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

Nationally Notifiable Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Morbidity Surveillance (OMB No.0920-0819, Expiration (08/31/2012)—Extension—Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP), National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

Because the STD epidemiology in the United States is changing rapidly, CDC must continue to monitor disease indicators that are included in the STD surveillance currently being implemented. CDC is proposing to continue electronic information collection which includes information elements that are integrated into the existing nationally notifiable STDs. These information elements are beyond the scope of the OMB-approved collection called Weekly and Annual Morbidity and Mortality Reports (MMWR, OMB #0920-0007). This ongoing collection provides evidence to better define STD distribution and epidemiology in the United States. The surveillance system modifies several data elements currently included in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) collection and add others to produce a set of sensitive indicators. This surveillance will continue to provide the evidence to enhance our understanding of STDs, develop intervention strategies, and evaluate the impact of ongoing control efforts.

CDC works closely with state and local STD control programs to monitor and respond to STD outbreaks and trends in STD-associated risk behavior. Users of data include, but are not limited to, congressional offices, state and local health agencies, health care providers, and other health-related groups.

CDC disseminates all STD surveillance information through the MMWR series of publications, including the MMWR, the CDC Surveillance Summaries, the Recommendations and Reports, and the annual Summary of Notifiable Diseases, United States. Additionally, the Division of STD Prevention publishes an annual STD-specific surveillance summary and supplements in hard copy and on the Internet http://www.cdc.gov/​std/​Stats/​.

CDC will use the findings from this and other STD surveillance to develop guidelines, control strategies, and impact measures that monitor trends in STDs in the United States.

We expect a total of 57 sites in state, city, and territory health departments will be submitting STD morbidity information to CDC each week.

There is no cost to respondents other than their time. The total estimated annualized burden hours are 989.

Estimate of Annualized Burden Table

Types of respondent	Form name	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden per response (in hours)	Total burden hours
State Health Departments	Electronic STD Case report	50	52	20/60	867
Territorial Health Agencies	Electronic STD Case report	5	52	20/60	87
City and county health departments	Electronic STD Case report	2	52	20/60	35
Totals					989

Dated: August 16, 2012.

Ron A. Otten,

Director, Office of Science Integrity, Office of the Associate Director for Science, Office of the Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.