Overview
Title
Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The CDC wants to keep an eye on people coming from a place where a nasty virus, called Marburg, is spreading. They will check if these travelers feel sick for 21 days by sending messages and asking questions in English and a local language, but there are many things they haven't figured out yet, like how to keep everyone's info safe and what to do if people don't answer.
Summary AI
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) invites comments on a proposed data collection project called "2024 Marburg Traveler Symptom Monitoring and Feedback." This project involves monitoring the symptoms of travelers coming from an outbreak area in Rwanda to prevent the spread of Marburg virus. The monitoring will last for 21 days, using text messages and web surveys in both English and Kinyarwanda, and aims to help CDC assess risks and take necessary public health measures. The CDC will collect information during public health entry screenings and share it with local health departments to improve the management of diseases and the effectiveness of health-related messages.
Abstract
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as part of its continuing effort to reduce public burden and maximize the utility of government information, invites the general public and other federal agencies the opportunity to comment on a proposed information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This notice invites comment on a proposed information collection project titled 2024 Marburg Traveler Symptom Monitoring and Feedback. This information collection is designed to conduct post-arrival symptom monitoring of travelers who have been in the outbreak area and evaluate the impact of rerouting and public health entry screening on travelers.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document in question originates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and highlights a proposal for collecting information related to the monitoring of travelers potentially exposed to the Marburg virus. This monitoring effort is particularly targeted towards individuals traveling from Rwanda, a region recently affected by a Marburg outbreak. As part of this initiative, the CDC aims to gather symptoms data over a 21-day period through automated text messages and web surveys available in English and in the local Rwandan language, Kinyarwanda.
The purpose of this data collection is to better assess the health risks posed by these travelers and to develop appropriate measures to control any potential spread of the virus within the United States. The collected information will be passed on to state and local health departments, aiding in decisions related to public health interventions and communication strategies.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Upon reviewing the document, several issues emerge. First, there is no mention of the estimated number of travelers expected to be monitored. The absence of this figure raises critical questions about the project's scalability and the resources that may be needed to effectively manage such a monitoring program.
Furthermore, the document estimates 2,833 annual burden hours without a detailed explanation of how these hours were calculated. This lack of clarity can hinder stakeholders' ability to evaluate if this assessment indeed matches the expected workload. Additionally, the document does not discuss potential logistical challenges and increased workload for state and local health departments that will be involved in processing and making use of the collected data.
The approach to handling non-responses or incomplete data within the proposed monitoring process is not addressed. Incomplete data can significantly impact the effectiveness of monitoring and any subsequent public health actions. Moreover, the specific platforms or systems that will ensure the secure transfer of personal data remain unspecified, potentially raising privacy and security concerns among stakeholders and the public.
Public Impact
For the broader public, the document underscores a proactive effort by the CDC to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases through vigilant monitoring and data collection. This effort is crucial in maintaining public health safety and preventing situations that could lead to more widespread health crises. However, the potential burden on travelers, such as the need to provide personal health information and participate continuously over several days of monitoring, may be seen as intrusive or cumbersome for some individuals.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For local and state health departments, the proposal implies additional responsibilities in managing and utilizing the collected data. This added task might stretch already limited resources, necessitating adjustments or expansions in their operations or systems.
The document could also affect airlines, as it outlines a responsibility for them to assist in data collection, which could complicate or disrupt their operational processes, especially if significant rerouting is required.
Lastly, privacy advocates may express concerns about the security of personally identifiable information due to the lack of explicit details regarding the data-sharing infrastructure and security measures.
In conclusion, while the CDC's proposal is undoubtedly well-intentioned in its aim to safeguard public health, the document could benefit from greater detail and transparency on critical operational aspects and stakeholder implications. Such enhancements would enable better preparation and cooperation across all impacted parties.
Issues
• The document does not specify the estimated number of travelers expected to be monitored, which could lead to concerns about scalability and resource allocation.
• There is no detailed explanation about how the burden hours were estimated, making it difficult to assess if the 2,833 annual burden hours are reasonable.
• The potential impact on the workload and logistical challenges for state and local health departments due to the sharing of information collected from travelers is not addressed.
• The document does not provide specifics on how the results of the final survey will be used to refine public health messaging, leaving room for ambiguity regarding the intended outcomes.
• No information is provided on the platform or system used for secure data-sharing infrastructure, raising concerns about privacy and data security.
• The document does not discuss potential cooperation or conflict with airlines beyond the data-sharing requirement, which could have implications on airline operations.
• The section describing the text message and web survey language options and their translation could be perceived as lacking detail about the adequacy and comprehensiveness of translations.
• The document does not specify a process for handling non-response or incomplete data from travelers, which may affect the quality of the data collected.