FR 2024-29100

The document from the Federal Register is an official notice inviting public engagement in the review process of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee's Scientific Report. Issued by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA), this notice plays a critical role in shaping dietary guidance that affects public health policy across the nation.

Summary of the Document

The notice serves as a request for written and oral comments from the public on the Scientific Report. The report will be made available online, and the public will have a 60-day timeframe to submit written feedback. Additionally, there is an opportunity for virtual oral presentations on January 16, 2025. These presentations require pre-registration, which opens on December 16, 2024. The submissions, whether written or oral, are aimed at addressing the scientific findings and recommendations put forth in the report. The feedback process is designed to include multiple voices and perspectives, contributing to the robustness and relevance of dietary guidelines.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Several issues arise from the document that could impact public participation:

1. Unspecified Publication Date: The document does not specify the exact date when the Scientific Report will be published online. This may complicate the public's ability to plan and submit their comments within the allotted 60-day period.

2. Restrictive Registration Requirements: Prospective oral commenters are required to submit a written outline or a summary limited to 250 words as part of the registration process. This requirement might be too limiting, potentially deterring detailed or nuanced feedback.

3. Complex Legal References: The document includes references to legislative acts such as the Federal Advisory Committee Act without simplification, which might render the material less accessible to the lay public. Simplifying these references could promote broader understanding and engagement.

4. Ambiguity in Comments' Etiquette: The instructions for what constitutes 'respectful' remarks for oral comments are not explicitly defined. This lack of clarity could lead to inconsistent enforcement and misunderstandings.

5. Registration Accessibility: The confirmation and further instructions are delivered via email, which might not be accessible to certain individuals, such as those with specific disabilities. There is an omission in addressing accessible accommodations in the document.

6. Pre-Recorded Submissions Encouragement: While pre-recorded video submissions are encouraged to avoid technical issues, there is no information on how technical challenges during live submissions will be managed. This might discourage participants interested in live interaction.

Broad Public Impact

This document can significantly impact public health messaging across the United States. By inviting public feedback, it allows for democratic participation in shaping dietary guidelines that are vital for individual and collective health outcomes. However, issues related to clarity and accessibility could impact the breadth and depth of public engagement, potentially skewing feedback in favor of those more familiar with navigating bureaucratic processes.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For public health policymakers and nutrition experts, this document underscores the importance of grounded, evidence-based dietary recommendations. Their involvement in the feedback process is critical, but they might navigate the outlined requirements more easily than the general public.

For general public participants, the document presents both an opportunity and a challenge. It offers a platform for individuals to influence national dietary guidelines, but those with accessibility challenges or less experience in formal comment procedures might find participation arduous.

For advocacy groups, the document represents a significant chance to advocate for dietary recommendations that align with specific health, environmental, or ethical goals. However, strict word limits and complex legal references might curtail the depth of their input.

In summary, while the document seeks to foster inclusive participation in dietary policy formation, attention to procedural clarity, accessibility, and specific support could enhance the constructive engagement of all stakeholders.