Search Results for keywords:"public health"

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has renewed the charter for the CDC/Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and STD Prevention and Treatment (CHAC). This renewal extends the committee's charter until November 25, 2026. The committee focuses on providing guidance and recommendations related to the prevention and treatment of these diseases. Jonathan Mermin, M.D., M.P.H., is the designated federal officer for this committee.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the renewal of its Science Board, extending its charter until June 26, 2026. This board provides expert advice to the FDA on various complex scientific and technical issues crucial to the agency's mission, including areas like food safety, pharmacology, and public health. The board consists of 21 voting members, with additional members or consultants temporarily added as necessary for specific expertise. The renewal confirms that it is in the public interest to maintain this advisory board for at least two more years.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a regulation to address the health risks associated with a chemical called C.I. Pigment Violet 29 (PV29), as part of their assessment under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Initially, the comment period for this proposal was scheduled to end on February 28, 2025, but it has now been extended by 60 days, giving the public until April 29, 2025, to submit their feedback. The purpose of this extension is to allow stakeholders more time to review the materials and provide their comments. To participate, the public can submit comments online at regulations.gov and should refer to the ID number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2021-0277.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released new guidance aimed at reducing the risk of disease transmission caused by sepsis in human cell and tissue products. This guidance is designed to help organizations that make donor eligibility decisions by recommending practices to lower infection risks. The FDA issued this guidance immediately due to urgent health concerns, updating previous recommendations from 2007. The guidance reflects the FDA's current viewpoints but does not impose any legal obligations.

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 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking public comments on a concept paper regarding the use of medically important antimicrobial drugs in animal feed. The paper suggests a framework for how drug sponsors can define the duration of use for these drugs in food-producing animals, aiming to prevent antimicrobial resistance and promote public health. The FDA is particularly interested in input on the timelines and processes proposed in the paper and hopes to use the feedback to create draft guidance. Comments can be submitted electronically or in writing by April 12, 2021.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is delaying the effective date of a rule that requires new health warnings on cigarette packages and advertisements. This delay, ordered by a court in Texas, pushes the effective date to January 14, 2022, from its original date of June 18, 2021. The rule implements the Tobacco Control Act, mandating vivid graphics depicting the harmful effects of smoking. The postponement was needed due to legal challenges and court orders.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has decided not to create a rule to regulate lead in wheel-balancing weights under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This decision follows a citizen petition from 2009 asking for such regulation and a subsequent mandamus petition in 2023. After reviewing data and conducting analyses, the EPA found the potential risks to human health and the environment from lead wheel weights to be low. Instead, the agency will consider these materials as part of a broader evaluation of lead and lead compounds, which are identified for future prioritization actions.

The U.S. International Trade Commission is investigating potential violations related to products containing tirzepatide. On December 6, 2024, an administrative law judge issued an initial determination that partially found a violation of Section 337. The Commission is seeking public comments on the potential impact of excluding these products from the U.S. market or issuing cease and desist orders. Comments should address how these actions might affect public health, the economy, and consumer interests in the United States. Written submissions are due by January 8, 2025.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the release of a report titled "Food and Drug Administration Report and Plan on Best Practices for Guidance." This report, requested by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, outlines best practices for creating, prioritizing, and using guidance documents efficiently. The FDA gathered and considered public feedback on a draft report published in December 2023, which led to this final version. The report aims to enhance transparency, improve regulatory processes, and support the development of new products for public health.