SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. In addition, the PRA also requires federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each new proposed collection, each proposed extension of existing collection of information, and each reinstatement of previously approved information ( printed page 46922) collection before submitting the collection to the OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, we are publishing this notice of a proposed data collection as described below.

The OMB is particularly interested in comments that will help:

1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

2. Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

4. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses; and

5. Assess information collection costs.

Proposed Project

Customer Surveys Generic Clearance for the National Center for Health Statistics (OMB Control No. 0920-0729)—Reinstatement—National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

As part of a comprehensive program, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, surveys its customers' satisfaction with the quality and relevance of the information it produces. NCHS conducts voluntary customer surveys to assess strengths in agency products and services. Results of these surveys will be used in future planning initiatives. NCHS requests a three-year approval from OMB for a Reinstatement of the Generic Clearance package for future customer surveys it plans to conduct. NCHS is authorized to collect data under Section 306 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 242k).

NCHS, the Nation's principal health statistics agency, compiles statistical information to guide actions to improve the health of the U.S. population. The national surveys and data systems administered by NCHS are a unique public resource for health information. Assessment of key data users' satisfaction with the quality and relevance of NCHS' products and services are of prime importance in evaluating our agency's performance. Voluntary customer surveys to ascertain strengths in agency products and services are useful tools for management in program planning. Data will be collected using a combination of methodologies appropriate to each survey. These may include evaluation forms, mail surveys, focus groups, automated and electronic technology ( e.g. email, Web-based surveys), and telephone surveys. NCHS will submit to OMB individual survey requests under this Generic Clearance. OMB will provide feedback on the individual requests within ten working days.

NCHS is a unique public resource for health. These data allow NCHS to document the health status of the population and of important subgroups, identify disparities in health status and use of health care by population characteristics, monitor trends in health status and health care delivery, identify health problems, support biomedical and health services research, provide information for making changes in public policies and programs, and evaluate the impact of health policies and programs. NCHS collects data from birth and death records, medical records, interview surveys, and through direct physical exams and laboratory testing.

Information is at the core of the NCHS mission. It is critical that information be available to provide customers with quick and easy access to a wide range of information and data through a variety of channels. Customer satisfaction and customer input are critical for accomplishment of our mission as a key element of the national public health infrastructure, providing important surveillance information that helps identify and address critical health problems. Satisfaction can be enhanced through suggestions for ways to improve our outputs and services, whether presentation of data on the Web, publications, statistical services, or other products at NCHS.

Surveys of several groups are anticipated. Among these are federal clients and policy makers; state and local officials who rely on NCHS data; the broader educational, research, and public health community; and other data users. Other users may include self-selected broad-based groups of data users who register for and attend NCHS sponsored conferences as well as people who access the NCHS website.

CDC requests OMB approval for an estimated 2,250 annual burden hours. There is no cost to respondents other than their time to participate.

91 FR 46921