Suppt st. B

Examining the Use of Climate Change Health Indicators by Health Departments in Adaptation Planning

ASPE Generic Information Collection Request

OMB No. 0990-0421

Supporting Statement – Section B

Submitted: March, 2015

Renee Dickman

Social Science Analyst
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation

200 Independence Avenue SW, Washington DC 20201

202.260.6722

Renee.Dickman@hhs.gov

Section B – Data Collection Procedures

1. Respondent Universe and Sampling Methods

This is a convenience sample of state and local representatives identified based on our previous review of local and state climate adaptation plans. Overall, we aim to have 25 individuals participate in the webinar with varied representation from state, local, and academic sectors. We will invite participants we have identified through review of state and local climate adaptation plans, literature reviews, and recommendations from colleagues within this field.

The respondents will include professionals from various state and local climate change adaptation/planning offices. We intend to invite state representatives from California, Michigan, Vermont, Minnesota, North Carolina, Florida, Rhode Island and local entities like New York City and Thurston County (WA) Health Departments to participate in the webinars. We will invite other state and local representatives not yet identified that we determine are highly engaged in climate change and health adaptation planning and use of indicators. Participants are employed at various offices within government structures. Some individuals from this sample represent Natural Resource Departments, Health Departments, and Environmental Health Departments. The individuals we intend to invite include epidemiologists, climate change program directors and managers, representatives in state climate divisions, health and data analysts, and CDC funded Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE) program managers.

We will also invite academic researchers who have published work in this field. This may include Princeton University, Emory University, Johns Hopkins University, and Harvard University. Professors from these academic institutions will be invited to aid in providing insight into the data utilization and feasibility of using available data for climate change and health indicators, planning, and monitoring.

2. Procedures for the Collection of Information

We have developed a webinar interview guide (Attachment A). The interview will cover the following topics:

• Actions of jurisdiction in climate adaptation planning,

• Presence of climate adaptation plans,

• Data sources utilized in planning and evaluation,

• Evaluation measures and indicators used,

• Factors in determining appropriate indicators,

• Analysis of data and progress,

• Barriers to utilizing indicators,

• Usability of resources,

This webinar will serve as a guide for discussion. The online webinar will allow participants to participate remotely.

3. Methods to Maximize Response Rates Deal with Nonresponse

As stated above, we are using a convenience sample of colleagues that has been engaged in climate change and health indicators research, climate adaptation planning, or HHS funded grants in this field. We anticipate that this will aid in response rates due to interest in the field. Potential contacts include those at state or local Departments of Natural Resources or Departments of Health. We will recruit participants via email and follow up phone calls to non-respondents. If an entity is unavailable or does not respond we will reach out to an alternative representative from that jurisdiction or identify other state or local representative that can participate.

4. Test of Procedures or Methods to be Undertaken

The webinar interview guide will be reviewed by ASPE, CDC, and Lewin staff with expertise in this field. Following the first webinar interview, we will debrief and make minor adjustments to improve the interviewing techniques.

5. Individuals Consulted on Statistical Aspects and Individuals Collecting and/or Analyzing Data

Dr. Naya McMillian and Dr. Clifford Goodman have provided leadership on the development of the webinar guide. Dr. McMillian and Dr. Goodman will also lead a team to provide qualitative analyses and summaries of the interviews. We will also consult with our HHS partners for input into the webinar guide and final report.