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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 126 (Thursday, June 30, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38399-38400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-16422]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Docket Number CDC-2011-0008]

Assessing the Current Research, Policy, and Practice Environment 
in Public Health Genomics

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice; establishment of docket; request for comments, data and 
information.

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SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), located 
within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is announcing 
the opening of a docket to solicit comments, data, and other 
information helpful to assess the current research, policy, and 
practice environment in public health genomics. HHS/CDC is currently 
leading a process to assess the most important steps for public health 
genomics in the next five years.

DATES: Electronic or written comments must be received on or before 
August 1, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments to the following address: 
Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., MS-E61, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, 
Attn: Docket No. CDC-2011-0008.
    You may also submit comments electronically to http://www.regulations.gov, Docket No. CDC-2011-0008. Please follow directions 
at http://wwww.regulations.gov to submit comments. All relevant 
comments received will be posted publicly without change, including any 
personal or proprietary information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katherine Kolor, PhD, Office of Public 
Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 
Clifton Road, NE., MS-E61, Atlanta, GA 30333, e-mail genetics@cdc.gov, 
phone 404-498-0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Since 1997, the Office of Public Health Genomics (OPHG) of the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has worked to 
integrate genomics into public health research, policy, and programs, 
which could improve interventions designed to prevent and control the 
country's leading chronic, infectious, environmental, and occupational 
diseases. OPHG's efforts focus on conducting population-based

[[Page 38400]]

genomic research, assessing the role of family health history in 
disease risk and prevention, supporting a systematic process for 
evaluating genetic tests, translating genomics into public health 
research and programs, and strengthening capacity for public health 
genomics in disease prevention programs. OPHG engages many partners to 
identify opportunities and challenges for using genomics to impact 
population health, by addressing important public health issues and 
improving the effectiveness and efficiency of public health programs.

II. Request for Comments, Data, and Other Information

    To help inform the assessment process and strategically plan for 
the next five years, HHS/CDC is requesting public input to the 
following questions on public health genomics: (1) What are the most 
important activities that should be carried out by the public health 
system in 2012-2017 to apply genomic knowledge to public health goals? 
(2) What outcomes specific to public health might be achieved as the 
result of carrying out these activities? (3) What policies are needed 
in order to achieve these outcomes? (4) What institutions, 
organizations and agencies need to participate in achieving these 
outcomes and what roles should they play? (5) What barriers are 
anticipated in achieving these outcomes and how might they best be 
overcome?

III. Submission of Comments

    Interested persons may submit comments, data, and information (see 
ADDRESSES) either electronically or written regarding this request. 
Submitted comments will be available for public review from Monday 
through Friday, except for legal holidays, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. 
Eastern Standard Time, at 1600 Clifton Road NE., Atlanta, Georgia 
30333. Please call ahead to 404-498-0001 and ask for a representative 
in the Office of Public Health Genomics to schedule your visit.

    Dated: June 21, 2011.
Tanja Popovic,
Deputy Associate Director for Science, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2011-16422 Filed 6-29-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P
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