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