Overview
Title
Notice of Closed Meeting
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The CDC is having a secret phone meeting on February 6, 2025, to talk about picking which projects get money, and it's secret to keep some private stuff safe. Michael Goldcamp is the person to ask if you want more details about this meeting.
Summary AI
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a closed meeting for the Disease, Disability, and Injury Prevention and Control Special Emphasis Panel (SEP). This meeting is scheduled for February 6, 2025, via teleconference. It will focus on reviewing and evaluating grant applications but will be closed to the public to protect trade secrets and personal privacy. For more information, contact Michael Goldcamp, Ph.D., the Scientific Review Officer.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document is an official notice published in the Federal Register, announcing a closed meeting by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Specifically, the meeting pertains to the Disease, Disability, and Injury Prevention and Control Special Emphasis Panel (SEP) and focuses on reviewing and evaluating grant applications. This event is scheduled for February 6, 2025, and will be conducted via teleconference. The meeting will be closed to the public to protect trade secrets and confidential personal information.
General Summary
This notice informs the public about a forthcoming closed meeting organized by the CDC. The meeting is intended to discuss grant applications related to disease, disability, and injury prevention. Due to the sensitive nature of the content, including possible trade secrets and personal information, the meeting will not be open to the public. The notice provides the meeting's date, time, and format and includes contact information for further inquiries.
Significant Issues or Concerns
Several issues emerge from the notice:
Lack of Detail on Agenda: The document does not specify what grants or programs will be reviewed, potentially limiting transparency.
Justification for Closure: While the notice cites the protection of trade secrets and personal privacy as reasons for the meeting's closure, it lacks detail on the specific types of information considered sensitive.
Legal References: The notice references legal provisions that justify the closure but does not explain them, which may confuse readers unfamiliar with the legal framework.
Privacy of Contact Information: The inclusion of detailed personal contact information for Michael Goldcamp is standard yet might raise concerns regarding privacy.
Evaluation Criteria: The lack of description regarding the evaluation process of the grant applications might leave questions about the transparency and objectivity of the grant review process.
Impact on the Public
The meeting's closed nature means that the public is excluded from observing or participating in discussions that could affect public health initiatives. While this is done to protect sensitive information, it might create a perception of opacity in how the CDC reviews and allocates grant funding. This could impact public trust, especially among those interested in federal health initiatives and research funding.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Grant Applicants: For those who have submitted grant applications, the closed meeting could engender concerns about fairness and transparency in the review process. However, it may also reassure them that their proprietary information and personal data will remain confidential.
General Public and Transparency Advocates: Individuals concerned with government transparency might view this meeting's closure as a negative precedent. Ensuring public access to governmental proceedings is often considered crucial for maintaining accountability.
Health and Research Communities: While the closure ensures confidentiality for sensitive details, it might limit the broader health and research communities' ability to scrutinize or provide input into the decision-making processes that allocate funding for key health initiatives.
Overall, the notice highlights the tension between maintaining confidentiality and promoting transparency in governmental processes. Balancing these aspects is essential for maintaining trust and integrity in public institutions.
Issues
• The document provides limited information about the specific agenda items or topics that will be discussed during the closed meeting, which may affect transparency.
• The reason for closing the meeting to the public is stated as protecting confidential trade secrets and personal privacy; however, the document does not elaborate on what specific types of trade secrets or personal information are involved, limiting public understanding.
• The document references specific legal provisions (5 U.S.C. 1009(d), 552b(c)(4), 552b(c)(6), and Public Law 92-463) without providing an explanation or summary of what these provisions entail, which could make it difficult for readers unfamiliar with these laws to understand the rationale behind the meeting closure.
• The contact information for Michael Goldcamp, including his phone number and email address, is included, which might raise privacy concerns, although this is standard practice in government meeting notices.
• There is no detailed information provided regarding the criteria or process for reviewing and evaluating grant applications, which might raise questions about how decisions are made during the teleconference.