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The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), part of the Health and Human Services Department (HHS), is holding a virtual public meeting of the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality. Scheduled for March 18, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the meeting will cover AHRQ's recent achievements in health systems research, communication, and strategies for advancing health equity. The meeting is open to the public, and details for attendance and participation can be found on the AHRQ website.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), part of the Department of Health and Human Services, will hold a virtual meeting of the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) on February 10-11, 2021. This meeting will discuss systematic reviews and topics such as Nutrition, Physical Activity, Obesity, and Health Equity/Social Determinants of Health. The public can attend the meeting by registering in advance, and there will be an opportunity for public comments during specific segments. The CPSTF, an independent panel, focuses on identifying programs that enhance public health by evaluating evidence and issuing recommendations, which are informative rather than mandatory.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reorganizing its National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP) to better address public health challenges related to these diseases. Changes include updating the mission statement and restructuring various offices and branches within the center to improve coordination, research, and prevention efforts. The reorganization aims to enhance the effectiveness of programs, improve collaboration with partners, and focus on health equity and reducing health disparities. This initiative reflects CDC's commitment to using the best scientific data to guide public health decisions.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a data collection project on childhood experiences and health equity among young adults in the U.S. The project aims to study how adverse and positive childhood experiences impact health outcomes, especially for young adults from marginalized communities. The study will involve surveying 6,000 young adults aged 18 to 24 and will collect data on their past experiences and health status. The study intends to improve the understanding of the connection between childhood experiences and health and will look at broader social and community factors that affect these outcomes.

The Department of Health and Human Services is reorganizing sections within the Health Resources and Services Administration. This includes establishing new offices, such as the Office of Special Health Initiatives and the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth, while abolishing the Healthcare Systems Bureau. The changes aim to enhance focus on areas like telehealth, health equity, and support for public health initiatives. The reorganization also involves updating leadership, roles, and responsibilities to improve healthcare access and service delivery.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule detailing changes to regulations associated with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for the year 2026. This rule covers various elements such as payment parameters, risk adjustment programs, and changes to user fee rates for health plans offered through Exchanges. It also introduces modifications to how quality improvement and medical loss ratio reporting are managed, aiming to enhance health equity, reduce health disparities, and minimize the administrative burden on healthcare providers. These updates are part of ongoing efforts to ensure consumers have access to quality and affordable health coverage.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is inviting industry organizations to participate in selecting nonvoting representatives for the Patient Engagement Advisory Committee, which discusses the use and regulation of medical devices. These nonvoting representatives can be nominated either by the organizations or through self-nomination and should be experienced in fields related to medical devices. Organizations interested in participating must notify the FDA by January 29, 2025, and nominations should be submitted by the same date. The FDA is particularly looking for individuals with expertise in areas like cybersecurity, digital health, patient engagement, and health equity.