Approved for emergency use through 3/97 under the following conditions: 1) at a minimum, DoD ensures that personal identifiers are cleansed from the data base before it is accessible by DoD staff beyond principal researchers, in particular prior to access by commander/supervisory staff. Before fielding the supplemental survey (and no later than September 9, 1996), DoD further discusses its confidentiality protections with OMB and receives OMB's concurrence on such plans; 2) Consistent with the above confidentiality plan, DoD amends the cover letter for the supplemental sample to provide more rigorous assurances of individual privacy. For example, in this cover letter DoD may explain in more detail: a) who will and will not have access to confidential data relating to personal behavior during Gulf War service resulting in reproductive outcomes; b) the method for ensuring that data bases with individual records are cleansed of personal identifiers; c) benefits in addition to continued employment that will be protected from adverse personnel action, e.g. health benefits, leave, commissary privileges, etc.; and d) precautions taken with those researchers who will have access to personal data, e.g. requirements that such individuals sign nondisclosure statements. DoD must submit the revised cover letter for OMB approval prior to fielding the supplemental instrument; 3) DoD amends its reliability survey to include in the beginning a brief description of privacy protections for respondents; 4) No later than 10/96, DoD submits to OMB its plan for assessing bias in its determination of inscope responses for the supplemen- tal survey and the acceptable threshhold for the inscope sample that would justify continuation of the supplemental survey. In addition, as discussed with DoD staff, OMB expects DoD to conduct an extensive analysis of nonresponse bias for both the core and supplemental survey, based upon extensive demographic and socio- economic data in DoD's enlistment data bases; and 5) For both the core and supplemental survey, DoD structures its follow-up to achieve an 80% response rate, and if necessary, conducts follow-up telephone interviews using the entire instru- ment or an abbreviated instrument that includes the most critical research questions.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
01/31/1997
01/31/1997
9,450
0
0
2,070
0
0
0
0
0
The Department of Defense needs information on morbidity and adverse reproductive outcomes among Gulf War veterans and associated risk factors. The information will be used to determine whether participation in the Gulf War theater of operations had any effect on the health status of subjects. All active duty military, reservists, and National Guard on duty anytime between August 1990 and August 1991 will be eligible for the study.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Epidemiologic Studies of Morbidity among Gulf War Veterans: A Search for Etioligic Agents and Risk Factors