Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The notice for the proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address any of the following: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses; and (e) Assess information collection costs.

To request additional information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call (404) 639-7570 or send an email to omb@cdc.gov. Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice should be directed to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Written comments should be received within 30 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

The National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS)(OMB Control Number 0920-0607, expiration 10/31/2017)—Revision—National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

Violence is a public health problem. The World Health Organization has estimated that 804,000 suicides and 475,000 homicides occurred in the year 2012 worldwide. Violence in the United States is a particular problem for the young; suicide and homicide were among the top 4 leading causes of death for Americans 10-34 and 1-34 years of age in 2015, respectively. In 2002 Congress approved the first appropriation to start the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS). NVDRS is coordinated and funded at the federal level but is dependent on separate data collection efforts managed by the state health department (or their bona fide agent) in each state.

NVDRS is an ongoing surveillance system that captures annual violent death counts and circumstances that precipitate each violent incident. Data on violent death is defined as a death resulting from the intentional use of physical force or power (e.g., threats or intimidation) against oneself, another person, or against a group or community. CDC aggregates de-identified data from each state into one large national database that is analyzed and released in annual reports and publications. Descriptive analyses such as frequencies and rates are employed. A restricted access database is available for researchers to request access to NVDRS data for analysis and a web-based query system is open for public use that allows for electronic querying of data. NVDRS generates public health surveillance information at the national, state, and local levels that is more detailed, useful, and timely. Government, state and local communities have used NVDRS data to develop and evaluate prevention programs and strategies. NVDRS is also used to understand magnitude, trends, and characteristics of violent death and what factors protect people or put them at risk for experiencing violence.

This is a revision request for an additional three years to continue data collection efforts of the currently approved information collection project. The purpose of this revision is to (1) implement updates to the web-based system to improve performance, functionality, and accessibility; (2) add new data elements to the system and minimal revisions to the NVDRS coding manual; (3) modify burden hours to account for the increase in violent deaths in the U.S. since 2003; and (4) to decrease the number of funded reporting state health departments from 58 to 56.

The estimated annual burden hours are 34,250. There are no costs to respondents.