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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is proposing a new tool called the SAMHSA Unified Client-Level Performance Reporting Tool (SUPRT) to streamline and improve how they collect data on mental health and substance use programs. This tool aims to reduce the burden on clients by allowing self-administered questionnaires and using administrative data from grantees. The SUPRT will help SAMHSA align its data collection with other federal agencies and improve its ability to monitor and evaluate the performance of its grant programs, contributing to broader public health goals. Public comments on this proposal can be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget by January 6, 2025.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking public comment on a proposed project called "Pathogens of High Consequence," which evaluates the presence of certain serious diseases in hospitals. As part of this project, three additional diseases—Influenza A (H5), Marburg, and Oropouche—have been added to the data collection form. The updated project aims to help hospitals track these diseases to better prevent and manage outbreaks. Comments from the public must be submitted by March 10, 2025, through the specified methods.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended a temporary halt on residential evictions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This extension lasts from January 31, 2021, through March 31, 2021, and aims to protect renters from eviction if they meet certain criteria, like having a drop in income or making partial rental payments. The order seeks to prevent evicted individuals from moving into crowded settings, which can heighten the risk of spreading the virus. It also highlights available federal resources, such as rental assistance programs, to support those financially impacted by the pandemic.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is withdrawing its draft guidance on considering greenhouse gas emissions in line with President Biden's Executive Order 13990, which aims to protect public health and the environment. This rescission is part of a larger effort to update and align environmental policies with current climate goals. Although the draft guidance is withdrawn, agencies are encouraged to use available resources, including the 2016 guidance, when assessing the climate impact of their actions. The CEQ will later announce any updates to the previous guidance.

In a new executive order, the President directed all government agencies to review and potentially change or remove regulations from the past four years that conflict with national goals to protect public health and the environment and address climate change. The order also focuses on restoring national monuments and halting oil and gas activity in the Arctic Refuge to address environmental concerns. Additionally, it emphasized the importance of accurately assessing the costs of greenhouse gas emissions and revoked the 2019 permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline, arguing it does not serve the national interest. This executive order seeks to promote environmental justice, reduce emissions, and prioritize the transition to a clean energy economy.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the revocation of Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for three COVID-19 tests developed by Beckman Coulter, Inc., including the Access SARS-CoV-2 IgG, IgM, and IgG II tests. This action was taken upon the request of Beckman Coulter, who also decided to stop the distribution of these tests as of January 1, 2025. The FDA concluded that revoking these authorizations is necessary to protect public health and safety. The revocation became effective on January 8, 2025, with detailed explanations provided for each decision.

The document is a notice from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that updates the organization and structure of its Office of the General Counsel (OGC). The OGC provides legal services and advice to various entities within the HHS, including the Secretary, on a wide range of issues. It is organized into several divisions, each specializing in different areas such as ethics, civil rights, and public health, and it has regional offices throughout the United States. This updated statement outlines the responsibilities and hierarchy within the OGC, ensuring uniform legal advice and services across the department.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a new guidance to help reduce the risk of transmitting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) through human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products (HCT/Ps). The guidance provides recommendations for screening donors to check for signs and risk factors of tuberculosis infection. This document was issued urgently due to recent multistate outbreaks linked to Mtb transmissions from donors and aims to enhance screening until official tests are available. Although the guidance is effective immediately, the FDA is open to receiving comments on it.

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 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized a rule to modify the Vaccine Injury Table, which relates to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). This new rule removes Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) and vasovagal syncope from the list of injuries eligible for compensation under the VICP. Some members of the public opposed the change, expressing concerns about safety and potential impacts on liability for vaccine administrators. However, HHS argued that these injuries are often due to improper administration techniques rather than the content of the vaccines themselves, and stated that this change aims to ensure that funds are directed to injuries directly caused by vaccines.