[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 200 (Wednesday, October 16, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83502-83503]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-23860]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-25-0572]


Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the information 
collection request titled ``CDC and ATSDR Health Message Testing System 
(HMTS)'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and 
approval. CDC previously published a ``Proposed Data Collection 
Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations'' notice on June 4, 
2024 to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. CDC 
received one non-substantive comment. This notice serves to allow an 
additional 30 days for public and affected agency comments.
    CDC will accept all comments for this proposed information 
collection project. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly 
interested in comments that:
    (a) 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;
    (b) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected;
    (d) 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 submission of responses; and
    (e) Assess information collection costs.
    To request additional information on the proposed project or to 
obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call 
(404) 639-7570. Comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function. Direct 
written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in 
this notice to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management 
and Budget, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 
395-5806. Provide written comments within 30 days of notice 
publication.

Proposed Project

    CDC and ATSDR Health Message Testing System (HMTS) (OMB Control No. 
0920-0572, Exp. 10/31/2024)--Extension--Office of Communications (OC), 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Background and Brief Description

    Before CDC disseminates a health message to the public, the message 
always undergoes scientific review. However, even though the message is 
based on sound scientific content, there is no guarantee that the 
public will understand a health message or that the message will move 
people to take recommended action. Communication theorists and 
researchers agree that for health messages to be as clear and 
influential as possible, target audience members or representatives 
must be involved in developing the messages and provisional versions of 
the messages must be tested with members of the target audience. 
Increasingly, there are circumstances when CDC must move swiftly to 
protect life, prevent disease, or calm public anxiety. Health message 
testing is even more important in these instances, because of the 
critical nature of the information need.
    In the interest of timely health message dissemination, many 
programs forgo the important step of testing messages on dimensions 
such as clarity, salience, appeal, and persuasiveness (i.e., the 
ability to influence behavioral intention). Skipping this step avoids 
the delay involved in the standard OMB review process, but at a high 
potential cost. Untested messages can waste communication resources and 
opportunities because the messages can be perceived as unclear or 
irrelevant. Untested messages can also have unintended consequences, 
such as jeopardizing the credibility of federal health officials.
    The CDC/ATSDR Health Message Testing System (HMTS), a Generic 
information collection, enables programs across CDC and ATSDR to 
collect the information they require in a timely manner to:
    <bullet> Ensure quality and prevent waste in the dissemination of 
health information by CDC to the public;
    <bullet> Refine message concepts and test draft materials for 
clarity, salience, appeal, and persuasiveness to target audiences;
    <bullet> Guide the action of health communication officials who are 
responding to health emergencies, Congressionally-mandated campaigns 
with short timeframes, media-generated public concern, time-limited 
communication opportunities, trends, and the need to refresh materials 
or dissemination strategies in an ongoing campaign.
    Each testing instrument will be based on specific health issues or 
topics. Although it is not possible to develop one instrument for use 
in all instances, the same kinds of questions are asked in most message 
testing. This package includes generic questions and formats that can 
be used to develop health message testing data collection instruments. 
These include a list of screening questions, comprised of demographic 
and introductory questions, along with other questions that can be used 
to create a mix of relevant questions for each proposed message testing 
data collection method. However, programs may request to use additional 
questions if needed. Message testing questions will focus on issues 
such as comprehension, impressions, personal relevance, content and 
wording, efficacy of response, channels, and spokesperson/sponsor. Such 
information will enable message developers to enhance the effectiveness 
of messages for intended audiences. Data collection methods proposed 
for

[[Page 83503]]

HMTS include intercept interviews, telephone interviews, focus groups, 
online surveys, and cognitive interviews. In almost all instances, data 
will be collected by outside organizations under contract with CDC.
    For many years, CDC programs have used HMTS to test and refine 
message concepts and test draft materials for clarity, salience, 
appeal, and persuasiveness to target audiences. Having this Generic 
Clearance available has enabled them to test their information and get 
critical health information out to the public quickly. Over the last 
three years, more than 27 messages have been tested using this OMB 
Clearance package.
    CDC's Division of Tuberculosis Elimination was approved to conduct 
program evaluation for their Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) 
Awareness Campaign within target audiences--non-US-born Vietnamese and 
Filipino persons and the healthcare professionals (primary care 
physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) that serve 
them. Assessing the immediate effects of campaign materials provides 
helpful insights that can be used to inform adjustments of campaign 
materials for intended audiences.
    CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) 
is tasked with leading our nation's efforts to prevent chronic diseases 
by promoting good nutrition, regular physical activity, and a healthy 
weight. One of the key ways DNPAO does this is by providing state and 
community partners with practical tools to promote healthy lifestyles 
such as the SCHMC communication resources. It is imperative that this 
ad testing be conducted so that CDC/DNPAO can best support grantees and 
local partners by providing timely information about how specific ads 
resonate with key audiences. The insights gained from the ad testing 
also provided DNPAO with timely information to inform development of 
additional ads and communication materials that they will resonate with 
audiences and lead to intended actions/behavior changes related to 
increasing physical activity, reducing sugary drink consumption, and 
improving infant and toddler nutrition.
    The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) 
collected data to assess older adults' perceptions of products 
developed as part of the expansion phase of CDC's Still Going Strong 
Campaign. Digital products were developed as part of this effort to 
expand the campaign to address social connectedness and isolation. The 
messages conveyed the importance of social connectedness to health to 
maintaining a high quality of life as we age. Participants learned 
about how social connectedness as well as physical and mental health 
are interconnected and critical to the well-being of older adults.
    Over 5,400 burden hours were used during the previous approval 
period. Because the availability of this ICR has been so critical to 
programs in disseminating their materials and information to the public 
in a timely manner, the Office of Communications is requesting approval 
for an estimated 2,470 annual burden hours for this three-year 
Extension of the information collection. There is no cost to the 
respondents other than their time.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                                   Number of     Average  burden
         Type of respondents                 Form name            Number of      responses per    per  response
                                                                 respondents       respondent       (in hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Health Professionals, Health   Moderator's Guides,              18,525                1             8/60
 Care Providers, State and Local       Eligibility Screeners,
 Public Health Officials, Emergency    Interview Guides,
 Responders, General Public.           Opinion Surveys,
                                       Consent Forms.
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Jeffrey M. Zirger,
Lead, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Public Health 
Ethics and Regulations, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2024-23860 Filed 10-15-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P