2013-17481. 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 or send comments to LeRoy Richardson, 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

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) OMB No. 0920-0950, expires 11/30/2015)—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), as amended, 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; environmental, social and other health hazards; and determinants of health of the population of the United States.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) have been conducted periodically between 1970 and 1994, and continuously since 1999 by the National Center for Health Statistics, CDC. Annually, approximately 15,411 respondents participate in some aspect of the full survey. About 10,000 complete the screener for the survey. About 142 complete the household interview only. About 5,269 complete both the household interview and the MEC examination. Up to 4,000 additional persons might participate in tests of procedures, special studies, or methodological studies (table 1). Participation in NHANES is completely voluntary and confidential. A three-year approval is requested.

NHANES programs produce descriptive statistics which measure the health and nutrition status of the general population. Through the use of physical examinations, laboratory tests, and interviews NHANES studies the relationship between diet, nutrition and health in a representative sample of the United States. NHANES monitors the prevalence of chronic conditions and risk factors. NHANES data are used to produce national reference data on height, weight, and nutrient levels in the blood. Results from more recent NHANES can be compared to findings reported from previous surveys to monitor changes in the health of the U.S. population over time. NCHS collects personal identification information. Participant level data items will include basic demographic information, name, address, social security number, Medicare number and participant health information to allow for linkages to other data sources such as the National Death Index and data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

A variety of agencies sponsor data-collection components on NHANES. To keep burden down, NCHS cycles in and out various components. The 2013-2014 NHANES physical examination includes the following components: Oral glucose tolerance test (ages 12 and older), grip strength (ages 6 and older), anthropometry (all ages), 24-hour dietary recall (all ages), physician's examination (all ages, blood pressure is collected here), taste and smell (60 and older), oral health examination (ages 1 and older, fluorosis photos ages 6-19), dual X-ray absorptiometry (total body composition ages 6-59 and osteoporosis, vertebral fractures and aortic calcification ages 40 and older). While at the examination center additional interview questions are asked (6 and older), a physical activity monitor is placed for 7 days of wear (ages 3 and older) and instructions are provided for mailing it back, a second 24-hour dietary recall (all ages) is scheduled to be conducted by phone 3-10 days later, and supplies and directions for a home urine collection (ages 20-69 for future research) is explained (this urine is mailed back).

The bio-specimens collected for laboratory tests include urine, blood, vaginal and penile swabs, oral rinses and household water collection. Serum, plasma and urine specimens are stored for future testing if the participant consents.

For the 2013-14 NHANES some major additions to the laboratory component include the following: Additional laboratory tests related to tobacco exposure, laboratory content related to fluoride exposure, and collection of HPV swabs for males.

The following major examination or laboratory items, that had been included in the 2011-2012 NHANES, were cycled out for NHANES 2013-2014: tuberculin skin testing, the respiratory health, and hearing examination components, and collection of a genetic specimen for future testing.

Most sections of the NHANES interviews provide self-reported information to be used either in concert with specific examination or laboratory content, as independent prevalence estimates, or as covariates in statistical analysis (e.g., socio-demographic characteristics). Some examples include alcohol, drug, and tobacco use, sexual behavior, prescription and aspirin use, and indicators of oral, bone, reproductive, and mental health. Several interview components support the nutrition monitoring objective of NHANES, including questions about food security and nutrition program participation, dietary supplement use, and weight history/self-image/related behavior. In 2014, 24-hour urine will be collected from interested NHANES participants who have completed the NHANES examination. This information is designed to better understand sodium intake and provide a population baseline for use in monitoring trends in sodium intake in the future. This special study will be limited to a one-half sample of participants ages 20-69. One half of those successfully completing this initial collection will be asked to complete second 24-hour urine. In addition to sodium, potassium, chloride and creatinine levels will be measured. Other analyses of the urine are being considered: Fluoride, micro-albumin, phosphorus and iodine.

NHANES data users include the U.S. Congress; numerous Federal agencies such as other branches of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the United States Department of Agriculture; private groups such as the American Heart Association; schools of public health; and private businesses. There is no cost to respondents other than their time.

Table 1—Annualized Burden Hours

Type of respondent	Form	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden per response (in hours)	Total burden hours
Individuals in households	NHANES Questionnaire	15,411	1	2.4	36,986
Individuals in households	Special Studies	4,000	1	3	12,000
Total					48,986

Leroy A. Richardson,

Chief, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific Integrity, Office of the Associate Director for Science, Office of the Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.