FR 2021-02550

Overview

Title

Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

Agencies

ELI5 AI

The CDC wants to keep collecting information about drug overdoses to help stop them, but they need permission first. They are asking people what they think about this plan, how it's done, and how much it costs.

Summary AI

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to continue a project named the "Drug Overdose Response Investigation (DORI) Data Collections." This project helps CDC respond quickly to state and local requests for data to control local drug overdose epidemics, particularly involving prescription drugs like opioids and illicit drugs such as heroin. The CDC will use collected data to understand trends, risk factors, and affected groups to guide states on ways to manage these issues. Comments from the public are being solicited to assess the project's necessity, methods, and costs, with a deadline for feedback set 30 days from this notice's publication.

Type: Notice
Citation: 86 FR 8645
Document #: 2021-02550
Date:
Volume: 86
Pages: 8645-8646

AnalysisAI

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is taking steps to continue its fight against the troubling issue of drug overdoses. Through a project called the "Drug Overdose Response Investigation (DORI) Data Collections," the CDC aims to respond swiftly to requests from local health authorities by gathering information necessary to combat drug overdose epidemics effectively. These efforts focus on both prescription drugs, particularly opioids, and illicit drugs such as heroin. The document lays out the CDC's proposal to extend this project by seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

General Summary

This notice is primarily about the CDC's intention to extend its data collection efforts under the "Drug Overdose Response Investigation (DORI)" initiative. Having been previously approved for three years, the CDC is now seeking renewal to continue its vital work. This project's goal is to provide timely and critical epidemiological insights into drug overdose trends, risk factors, and affected demographics, which serve as the basis for advising state and local authorities on appropriate interventions.

Significant Issues or Concerns

Several notable issues emerge from the document:

  1. Costs and Technological Details: The document does not expound on the specific costs associated with the DORI's data collection, which is an omission that raises concerns over possible inefficiencies or wasteful spending. Additionally, there is a lack of clear information regarding the technological means that will be employed to streamline data collection, potentially affecting transparency and stakeholder trust.

  2. Vague Language: Descriptions concerning the data collection methods include terms like “rapid and flexible,” which may be too vague to adequately assess the project's effectiveness. This lack of specificity could make it challenging for stakeholders to grasp the procedures and intended improvements within the DORI initiative.

  3. Impact on Decision-Making: While public comments are solicited, the document does not clarify how these will be factored into decision-making processes. Without clear guidelines on how input will influence the project, the call for comments may not maximize stakeholder engagement.

Potential Public Impact

The DORI Data Collections project has the potential to significantly impact public health by aiding in the understanding and response to drug overdose epidemics. Timely and reliable data can lead to more effective strategies, potentially saving lives and reducing healthcare burdens. However, the document’s lack of detailed cost assessments and technological strategies could hinder public accountability and trust.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

State and local health authorities are the primary stakeholders who stand to benefit from this initiative. The CDC's assistance can enhance local capabilities to address urgent overdose situations more effectively. However, without clear details on cost management and efficiency improvements, stakeholders could face challenges in justifying and implementing recommended interventions. Also, those involved in data collection may experience ambiguity in their roles due to unclear procedural guidelines, potentially affecting the overall quality of collected data.

In summary, while the DORI Data Collections project aims to address a critical public health issue, the document could benefit from greater transparency and specificity in discussing costs, technological applications, and engagement strategies. Addressing these issues could improve stakeholder trust and ensure the project's successful renewal and implementation.

Issues

  • • The document lacks explicit details on the specific costs associated with the Drug Overdose Response Investigation (DORI) Data Collections, which could lead to concerns about potential wasteful spending.

  • • There is a lack of clarity regarding the specific technological solutions or systems that will be used to minimize the burden of information collection, which may dilute accountability and efficiency.

  • • The abstract is not provided in the metadata, leaving out a summary that could aid in a quick understanding of the document’s purpose.

  • • The language regarding data collection methods and the flexibility required ('rapid and flexible collection of data that evolves during the investigation period') is somewhat vague, making it hard to assess efficiency and accountability.

  • • The document does not provide detailed information on how the requested extension of the OMB control number 0920-1054 will improve upon past performance or outcomes of the DORI program.

  • • The document mentions that comments are welcomed but does not specify how these comments will influence the decision-making process, ensuring transparency and stakeholder engagement.

Statistics

Size

Pages: 2
Words: 1,055
Sentences: 30
Entities: 65

Language

Nouns: 355
Verbs: 99
Adjectives: 71
Adverbs: 18
Numbers: 32

Complexity

Average Token Length:
5.06
Average Sentence Length:
35.17
Token Entropy:
5.27
Readability (ARI):
23.73

Reading Time

about 4 minutes