FR 2025-00487

Summary of the Document

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced a closed meeting of the Disease, Disability, and Injury Prevention and Control Special Emphasis Panel. This meeting is scheduled for February 25 and 26, 2025, and will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Decatur, Georgia. The primary objective of this meeting is to review grant applications related to the World Trade Center Health Program. The meeting is closed to the public to protect confidential information, including trade secrets and personal data. Laurel Garrison serves as the point of contact for further information regarding the meeting.

Significant Issues or Concerns

The announcement raises several concerns. Firstly, it does not detail which specific grant applications will be discussed, leading to potential opacity in the selection process. Transparency in government activities is crucial, and such lack of specificity might lead to a perception of preference or unfairness.

Secondly, the justification for closing the meeting hinges on broad categories of confidential information, such as trade secrets or personal details. While protecting sensitive information is important, these categories can be interpreted broadly. The absence of specific guidelines or measures to ensure the confidentiality of the information may raise questions about the sufficiency of the protections being implemented.

Lastly, the notice does not provide details on the number of grant applications being reviewed or the total funds involved, thus obscuring critical information that might be significant for assessing the allocation of resources or identifying possible favoritism.

Impact on the Public

Generally, announcements like this may impact the public by limiting access to discussions that involve the use of government funds. Transparency in such matters is vital to fostering trust in public institutions. The closed nature of the meeting could exacerbate potential concerns about accountability and oversight from the public's perspective.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

The closure of the meeting to the public is primarily intended to protect stakeholders with sensitive trade secrets or personal information. This confidentiality may be beneficial for researchers, developers, and individual participants involved in the grant application process, as it shields valuable intellectual property and private information from public exposure. However, stakeholders interested in the transparency of the funding allocation process might see this as a downside, as it limits their ability to understand and scrutinize the decision-making process.

Overall, while protecting sensitive information is necessary, balancing this need against public transparency and accountability is crucial for fostering trust and ensuring fair use of resources in government activities.