This ICR is
approved for focus group purposes only.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2008
36 Months From Approved
50
0
0
100
0
0
0
0
0
Asthma is one of the most common
chronic illnesses in the United States, particularly among
children. The disease is characterized by recurring episodes of
symptoms like cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
Epidemiological studies suggest that ambient air pollution may
contribute to exacerbation of these episodes. Acute asthma episodes
are a leading cause of work and school absence and contribute to
the economic burden of the disease. The policies and programs of
many public and private entities including EPA may affect the
frequency and severity of asthma episodes, but economic analysis of
these programs is hindered by inadequate information about the
economic benefits of reduced asthma episodes. The proposed surveys
would gather information to support estimation of willingness to
pay (WTP) to avoid acute episodes of asthma exacerbation for adults
and children. The survey research has three main objectives. The
first is to estimate WTP to reduce frequency of asthma episodes.
The second is to examine how the attributes of asthma episodes,
such as their frequency, severity and symptoms, affect WTP. The
third is to provide some evidence on the WTP to reduce the severity
of asthma episodes, while holding frequency constant. WTP would be
estimated in the context of the severity of the individuals asthma
and the activities taken to manage the disease. The results will
help to provide researchers and policy analysts with evidence on
the potential benefits of actions policies that influence acute
asthma episodes. Through a cooperative agreement from EPA
(R-83062801-0), researchers at the University of Central Florida
(UCF) have designed and are proposing to conduct two surveys of
adult individuals. One survey would be administered to a sample of
adults with physician-diagnosed asthma who have experienced asthma
symptoms during the 12 months preceding the survey. This survey
focuses on eliciting adults WTP to reduce the asthma episodes that
they experience. The other survey would be administered to a
national sample of parents of children with physician-diagnosed
asthma who have experienced asthma symptoms during the 12 months
preceding the survey. In this case, the focus is on eliciting
parents WTP to reduce the asthma episodes that their children
experience. The purpose of the proposed ICR is to gain approval for
the conduct of a series of focus groups and individual interviews
as part of the survey development process. Focus groups and
cognitive interviews are a crucial component in the survey
development process as they allow survey developers to identify
problematic approaches, terminology, and graphics in the survey
instrument. A total of 50 interviews are anticipated, including
focus group responses and individual interviews.
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.