FR 2021-02739

The document is a notice regarding a closed meeting organized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as published in the Federal Register. The meeting is scheduled for May 5, 2021, and will be conducted via teleconference. It involves the Disease, Disability, and Injury Prevention and Control Special Emphasis Panel, with a focus on assessing the feasibility of a Model Cancer Screening Surveillance Report utilizing All-Payer Claims Data. The meeting is closed to the public primarily to secure the confidentiality of trade secrets and personal information as they review and evaluate grant applications.

Summary and General Overview

The notice announces an upcoming teleconference meeting at the CDC, specifically aimed at reviewing grant applications related to a cancer screening project. Given its closed status, only designated individuals will participate to ensure confidentiality. The notice provides details like the date, time, and contact information for further inquiries. Jaya Raman, Ph.D., is listed as the contact person who could provide additional details, hypothetically guiding interested parties on the proceedings or responding to requests for information within appropriate legal frameworks.

Issues and Concerns

The main concern arising from this notice is the lack of public transparency. Since the meeting will review potentially sensitive information regarding trade secrets and personal privacy, it is not open to the public. While maintaining confidentiality is crucial, it can also spark concerns about accountability and oversight since stakeholders like the public cannot partake or scrutinize the process.

Additionally, the document fails to provide a clear understanding of the criteria for grant application evaluations. This lack of clarity might raise questions about fairness and objectivity among stakeholders who are interested or invested in the subject matter.

Further concerns include the technical and legal jargon present in the text, which may be inaccessible to individuals unfamiliar with legal language. Phrases like "sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., as amended," might not be easily understood without prior legal knowledge.

Impact on the Public

For the general public, the announcement of this meeting may raise awareness about the ongoing efforts of the CDC in disease prevention. However, the closed nature of the meeting limits public engagement and understanding of how these efforts are evaluated and managed. Those lacking expertise in legal language may further find it hard to comprehend the purpose and implications of such meetings.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

The specific stakeholders potentially affected include the applicants of the grant and those involved in cancer screening projects. For grant applicants, the outcomes of the meeting could have significant implications for their proposed projects, including funding and implementation possibilities. However, given the meeting's confidential nature, applicants and related stakeholders might feel uncertain about the impartiality and process of evaluation.

On a broader scale, entities involved in public health and policy advocacy may view the closed meeting as either protective of sensitive information or lacking in needed transparency for thorough societal oversight.

In conclusion, while the notice plays an important role in maintaining structured and legally compliant evaluations, its opacity and lack of clear communication might limit its effectiveness in fostering holistic public engagement.