Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority, 58307-58309 [2013-22909]

Agencies

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 184 (Monday, September 23, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58307-58309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22909]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of 
Authority

    Part C (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) of the 
Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority of 
the Department of Health and Human Services (45 FR 67772-76, dated 
October 14, 1980, and corrected at 45 FR 69296, October 20, 1980, as 
amended most recently at 78 FR 35936, dated June 14, 2013) is amended 
to reorganize the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention.
    Section C-B, Organization and Functions, is hereby amended as 
follows:
    Delete in its entirety the titles and functional statements for the 
Division of Vital Statistics (CPCC) and insert the following:
    Division of Vital Statistics (CPCC). Plans and administers complex 
data collection systems and conducts a program of methodologic and 
substantive public health research activities based on the nationwide 
collection of data from vital records, follow back surveys, and 
demographic surveys of people in the childbearing ages. (1) 
Participates in the development of policy, long-range plans, and 
programs of the Center; (2) directs, plans, and coordinates the vital 
statistics program of the United States; (3) administers the vital 
statistics cooperative program, including the National Death Index; (4) 
develops standards for vital statistics data collection including 
electronic systems, data reduction, and tabulation; (5) interprets, 
classifies, and compiles complex demographic, economic, health, and 
medical data; (6) serves as the United States representative to the 
World Health Organization (WHO), regarding the International 
Classification of Diseases (ICD) for mortality data and the 
classification and coding of cause of death; (7) conducts research to 
determine cross-national comparability of causes of death to further 
enhance the ICD and make appropriate recommendations to WHO; (8) 
conducts research on data collection methodology, survey methodology, 
data quality and reliability, and statistical computation as related to 
vital and survey statistics; (9) conducts multidisciplinary research 
directed toward development of new scientific knowledge on the 
demographics of reproduction, natality, and mortality; (10) performs 
theoretical and experimental investigations into the content of the 
vital statistics data collection effort; (11) develops sophisticated 
approaches to making vital statistics data available to users, 
including techniques to avoid disclosure of confidential data; (12) 
conducts descriptive analyses and sophisticated multivariate analyses 
that integrate vital statistics data across multiple surveys or data 
sets; (13) provides technical assistance and consultation to 
international, State, and local offices with vital registration 
responsibilities on vital registration, vital statistics, and data 
processing; (14) researches, designs, develops, and implements state-
of-the-art computing systems for collecting, storing, and retrieving 
vital records and for subsequent analysis and dissemination; (15) 
conducts methodological research on the tools for evaluation, 
utilization, and presentation of vital statistics and related survey 
data and medical classification; (16) assesses the security of the DVS 
IT systems and data files and develops and implements strategies to 
minimize any security risks; (17) produces and publishes a wide variety 
of vital statistics analytic reports and tabulations in multiple 
formats; and (18) develops and sustains collaborative partnerships 
within NCHS, CDC, DHHS, and externally with public, private,

[[Page 58308]]

domestic and international entities on vital statistics programs.
    Office of the Director (CPCC1). (1) Participates in the development 
of policy, long-range plans, and programs of the Center; (2) provides 
leadership for the monitoring and statistical evaluation of national 
vital statistics; (3) directs, plans, and coordinates the statistical 
and research activities of the Division; (4) develops and administers a 
research and analytic program in registration and vital statistics; (5) 
develops policy, practices, and management for the National Death Index 
program; (6) plans and conducts a program to improve the vital 
registration and statistics program of the U.S.; (7) conducts studies 
of new vital registration techniques; (8) recommends content and format 
of model legislation, regulations, standard certificates, and other 
aids to registration systems; (9) provides international leadership and 
consultation on vital registration and statistics issues to other 
countries; (10) establishes collaborative partnerships within NCHS, 
CDC, DHHS, and externally with public, private, domestic and 
international entities on vital statistics programs; and (11) manages 
the vital statistics data request program for the Division.
    Data Acquisition, Classification and Evaluation Branch (CPCCB). (1) 
Provides policy direction to states regarding vital statistics data 
acquisition and quality control; (2) promotes state participation in 
the vital statistics cooperative program and the national death index 
(ND!) program; (3) develops specifications for coding, editing and 
processing of vital registration and statistics data; (4) develops and 
administers funding formulas that determine the level of reimbursement 
to states and the procurement mechanisms to effect this reimbursement; 
(5) develops and directs a comprehensive statistical quality assurance 
program to assure that the data received from each registration area 
are acceptable for national use; (6) provides technical assistance to 
states, local areas, other countries, and private organizations on data 
files, software, training, processing and coding of vital statistics 
data; (7) in consultation with health departments across the U.S., 
leads and conducts evaluation studies and other research on issues 
related to the collection of vital statistics; (8) prepares and 
publishes information obtained from special projects related to vital 
registration and statistics data; (9) promotes the development and 
implementation of best statistical practices throughout the U.S. vital 
statistics system to maximize the utility of vital statistics data; 
(10) manages the acquisition of vital statistics data from the 57 
registration areas to assure a national file of timely and complete 
data; (11) directs a comprehensive program of technical assistance and 
consultation related to mortality medical data classification to 
states, local areas, other countries, and private organizations; (12) 
conducts methodological research in data preparation and medical 
classification of mortality data; and (13) interprets, classifies, 
codes, keys, and verifies medical and demographic information of value 
to researchers and public policy officials.
    Mortality Statistics Branch (CPCCC). (1) Establishes the research 
agenda for mortality statistics in response to public health 
priorities; (2) converts identified data needs into statistical and 
research programs to obtain, evaluate, analyze, and disseminate 
mortality statistics data; (3) conducts research to improve data 
collection of vital records, record linkage, and sample survey 
methodologies related to mortality statistics; (4) performs theoretical 
and experimental research that improves the content of the mortality 
statistics data collection effort and the timeliness, availability, and 
quality of mortality statistics data; (5) conducts research into life 
tables methodology and produces annual and decennial U.S. and State 
life tables; (6) recommends content of U.S. Standard Certificates; (7) 
assesses disclosure risk and develops optimal data release strategies 
that improve policy analysis and decision-making; (8) prepares and 
publishes descriptive analyses as well as sophisticated multivariate 
analyses that integrate data across multiple surveys or data sets; (9) 
conducts research related to the International Classification of 
Diseases (ICD) and cause of death classification; (10) conducts 
national and state-specific comparability studies of cause of death 
classification to facilitate the study of mortality trends across ICD 
revisions; (11) designs and conducts methodological research to improve 
the collection, production, use, and interpretation of mortality-
related data; (12) collaborates with other agencies and organizations 
in the design, implementation, and analysis of vital records surveys; 
(13) develops and promotes training activities related to the 
collection, production, use and interpretation of mortality statistics; 
(14) provides leadership to the international community in the use and 
adoption of automated mortality medical classification systems; (15) 
provides nosological assistance and training to DVS medical coding 
staff and to both nationally and internationally groups in regard to 
International Classification of Diseases (ICD) information for 
mortality and new revisions of the ICD; and (16) develops and 
implements training programs for cause-of-death coding and provides 
technical assistance to NCHS, other Federal agencies, state, and local 
governments, non-government agencies, and international agencies.
    Reproductive Statistics Branch (CPCCD). (1) Establishes the 
research agenda for reproductive statistics in response to public 
health priorities; (2) assesses information data needs in the fields of 
reproduction, maternal and child health, family formation, growth, and 
dissolution; (3) plans and develops statistical and research programs 
to obtain, evaluate, analyze, and disseminate reproductive statistics 
data to meet these needs; (4) conducts research to improve data 
collections on vital records, record linkage, and sample survey 
methodologies related to reproductive statistics; (5) performs 
theoretical and experimental research that improves the content of the 
reproductive statistics data collection effort and the timeliness, 
availability, and quality of reproductive statistics data; (6) assesses 
disclosure risk and develops optimal data release strategies that 
improve policy analysis and decision-making; (7) prepares and publishes 
descriptive analyses of individual data systems as well as 
sophisticated multivariate analyses that integrate data across multiple 
surveys or data sets; (8) conducts methodological research to improve 
statistics on reproduction, maternal and child health, family 
formation, growth, and dissolution; (9) recommends content of U.S. 
Standard Certificates; and (10) provides consultation and advice to 
members of Congress, the press, and a broad range of researchers and 
institutions at the international, national, State, and local levels on 
reproductive statistics data.
    Information Technology Branch (CPCCE). (1) Conducts research into 
the design, development, and administration of vital statistics 
information technology systems; (2) performs systems analysis and 
computer programming of vital registration data; (3) develops 
technologies, data architectures, security infrastructure, and database 
management related to vital records, record linkage, and sample surveys 
consistent with NCHS, CDC and DHHS information technology requirements, 
policies and architecture; (4) develops, maintains, and employs state-
of-the-art information technologies (e.g., relational data bases, Web-
enabled applications, applications development

[[Page 58309]]

and dissemination activities) associated with vital statistics; (5) 
develops and maintains systems and databases to support the National 
Death Index program; (6) provides consultation and expert technical 
assistance to the Division concerning SQL server, web services, 
networking applications, and other technologies that may arise; (7) 
prepares and maintains population databases as well as conducts studies 
on statistical computation and data quality; (8) designs and implements 
information technology applications to produce final edited and imputed 
vital statistics and survey data; (9) provides consultation, policy 
guidance and expert technical assistance NCHS-wide as well as to a 
broad range of agencies, institutions, federal, local, and 
international governments, researchers, and individuals, in regard to 
vital statistics systems design, administration, and usage; (10) 
manages national vital statistics data files and databases; (11) 
develops, enhances, and maintains medical classification software and 
procedures for collecting and processing of mortality medical data in 
states and at NCHS following HHS Enterprise Life Cycle Framework; and 
(12) tests, refines, and updates automated coding systems that assist 
in the production of mortality data.

    Dated: September 13, 2013.
Sherri A. Berger,
Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2013-22909 Filed 9-20-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-18-M