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Quick Summary

Federal Advisory Committees (FACs) are groups of external experts who advise CDC on public health issues
These committees follow federal laws to ensure transparency, ethics, and balanced input
FACs help CDC make informed decisions on vaccines, disease prevention, health equity, and more
Meetings, materials, and member information are publicly available to promote openness and trust

What Are Federal Advisory Committees?

Federal Advisory Committees (FACs) are official groups of experts from outside the government who provide independent advice and recommendations to federal agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In Simple Terms

Think of FACs as trusted advisor panels that:
- Bring diverse expertise and perspectives to CDC
- Review evidence and discuss complex public health questions
- Help shape policies, guidelines, and programs
- Ensure CDC decisions reflect the best available science and community input

Why FACs Matter

Public health decisions affect millions of people. FACs help ensure those decisions are:
- Based on strong, up-to-date science
- Informed by real-world experience from clinicians, researchers, and community leaders
- Transparent and open to public input
- Ethical and free from undue influence

How FACs Work at CDC

Committee Structure

Each CDC advisory committee has:
- Charter: A formal document that defines the committee's purpose, scope, and authority
- Members: Experts appointed for their knowledge in relevant fields (medicine, public health, ethics, community advocacy, etc.)
- Designated Federal Officer (DFO): A CDC staff member who manages committee operations and ensures compliance with federal rules
- Workgroups: Smaller teams that prepare evidence reviews and draft recommendations for full committee consideration

Types of Committees at CDC

CDC hosts several federal advisory committees, including:

Committee	Focus Area
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)	Vaccine recommendations for children and adults
Board of Scientific Counselors (BSC)	Review of CDC research programs and scientific direction
Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and STD Prevention and Treatment (ACHVST)	Guidance on preventing and treating infectious diseases
Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis (ACET)	Strategies to eliminate TB in the United States
Workgroup on Equity in Public Health	Advancing health equity and reducing disparities

(Note: Committee names and scopes may change; visit CDC's FAC page for the current list.)

Transparency and Public Access

CDC is committed to open, accessible advisory committee processes.

What You Can Access Online

For each FAC, CDC provides:
- Charter: The committee's official mission and operating rules
- Roster: Names, affiliations, and terms of current members
- Meeting schedules: Dates, times, and locations of upcoming meetings
- Agendas and materials: Topics, presentations, and background documents posted before meetings
- Meeting minutes: Summaries of discussions, decisions, and votes after meetings
- Public comment information: How to submit written input or sign up to speak

How to Participate

Anyone can engage with CDC advisory committees:
- Watch meetings: Most meetings offer live webcasts and archived recordings
- Submit written comments: Share your perspective on agenda items before or during meetings
- Speak during public comment periods: Register in advance to address the committee directly (time limits apply)
- Review materials: Study agendas, slides, and reports to stay informed

All public comments become part of the official record and are considered during committee deliberations.

Ethics and Integrity in Advisory Work

Federal law requires strict ethics standards for advisory committee members to protect the integrity of their advice.

Special Government Employees (SGEs)

Most FAC members serve as Special Government Employees. This means they:
- Are not full-time federal employees but contribute expertise part-time
- Must follow federal ethics rules, including conflict-of-interest disclosures
- Recuse themselves from discussions or votes where a personal or financial conflict exists

Financial Disclosure Requirements

All SGEs submit confidential financial disclosure reports before appointment and annually thereafter
Disclosures cover investments, employment, consulting relationships, and other potential conflicts
CDC ethics officials review disclosures and determine if recusals or other safeguards are needed
Summary conflict-of-interest statements are shared publicly before each meeting

Why Ethics Matter

Strong ethics protections help ensure that:
- Committee advice is based on science and public health need, not personal gain
- The public can trust that recommendations serve community health, not special interests
- Diverse perspectives are heard without undue influence from any single group

Laws and Rules That Guide FACs

Federal advisory committees operate under a clear legal framework.

Key Laws and Regulations

Law/Regulation	What It Does
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA)	Establishes rules for how advisory committees are formed, operated, and made transparent to the public
Ethics in Government Act	Requires financial disclosures and conflict-of-interest management for federal advisors
HHS Policies and Procedures	Provide agency-specific guidance on committee management, public engagement, and recordkeeping
Open Meeting Requirements	Ensure meetings are announced in advance, open to the public, and documented

What This Means in Practice

Committees must have a clear, approved purpose (charter)
Meetings must be publicly announced and accessible
Materials must be shared in advance when possible
Records must be kept and made available upon request
Ethics reviews must be completed before members participate

These rules protect both the integrity of the advice and the public's right to know how decisions are made.

Finding Committee Information

CDC's Federal Advisory Committee Portal

Visit CDC's FAC website to explore:
- Current committee charters and rosters
- Upcoming meeting schedules and agendas
- Archived meeting materials and minutes
- Ethics disclosures and conflict-of-interest statements
- Contact information for committee staff

How to Search

Go to CDC's FAC page
Browse committees by name or topic area
Click on a committee to view its charter, members, and meeting history
Use the calendar to find upcoming meetings you can attend or watch
Download materials or sign up for email updates

Need Help Finding Something?

Each committee page lists a contact person or office. You can also reach out to CDC's main FAC coordinator for guidance.

How Crestwood General Engages with Advisory Guidance

At Crestwood General, we value the expert input that federal advisory committees bring to public health. We use their evidence-based recommendations to inform our patient care and community health initiatives.

What This Means for Our Patients

Up-to-date care: We follow the latest FAC-informed guidelines for vaccines, screening, prevention, and treatment
Transparent communication: We explain the science and reasoning behind recommendations so you can make informed choices
Personalized application: We help you apply national guidance to your unique health needs, values, and circumstances
Advocacy and access: We support policies that expand access to preventive services backed by expert consensus

Staying Current

Our clinical and public health teams:
- Monitor FAC meetings and updates relevant to our services
- Participate in continuing education on new guidelines and best practices
- Implement evidence-based changes promptly after recommendations are finalized
- Share clear, practical information with patients and community partners

Questions We Can Help Answer

How do advisory committee recommendations affect my care?
Where can I find the latest guidelines on [vaccines/screening/prevention]?
How can I provide input to a CDC advisory committee?
What ethics protections ensure committee advice is trustworthy?
How does CDC decide which experts serve on advisory panels?

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can serve on a CDC advisory committee?

Members are selected for their expertise in relevant fields (medicine, public health, epidemiology, ethics, community advocacy, etc.). They represent diverse backgrounds, geographic regions, and perspectives. Members are appointed by CDC or HHS leadership following a nomination and review process.

Are advisory committee meetings open to the public?

Yes. Federal law requires most FAC meetings to be open to the public. Agendas are posted in advance, and many meetings offer live webcasts. Public comment periods allow anyone to share input.

Can I request records from an advisory committee?

Yes. FAC materials (charters, rosters, minutes, presentations) are public records. You can access them online or submit a request through CDC's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process.

How are conflicts of interest managed?

All members submit confidential financial disclosures. CDC ethics officials review these and require recusals (stepping aside) from discussions or votes where a conflict exists. Summary conflict statements are shared publicly before meetings.

Do advisory committee recommendations become policy?

Not automatically. FACs provide advice; CDC leadership considers this input along with other factors (resources, feasibility, legal requirements) when making final decisions. Many recommendations are adopted into official CDC guidance.

How can I nominate someone for a committee?

Nomination processes vary by committee. Check the specific committee's webpage for current opportunities and application instructions. Generally, nominations require a CV, statement of interest, and references.

What if I disagree with a committee's recommendation?

Public comment periods allow you to share concerns or alternative perspectives. You can also contact CDC directly or engage with liaison organizations that represent your community or profession. FACs consider public input as part of their deliberative process.

Stay Informed and Engaged

Advisory committees shape the public health guidance that affects us all. Here is how to stay connected:

For Patients and Families

Review committee recommendations relevant to your health (e.g., vaccine schedules, screening guidelines)
Share your experiences and perspectives during public comment periods
Ask your healthcare provider how advisory guidance informs your care plan

For Healthcare Professionals

Monitor FAC meetings and publications in your specialty area
Use committee recommendations to update clinical practices and patient education
Consider applying to serve on a committee if you have relevant expertise

For Community Leaders and Advocates

Follow committees focused on health equity, prevention, or issues affecting your community
Partner with liaison organizations to amplify community voices in advisory processes
Share accurate, science-based information about how public health guidance is developed

Quick Links

Connect with Crestwood General

At Crestwood General, we believe that strong public health depends on trusted science, transparent processes, and community partnership. We are committed to translating expert guidance into compassionate, accessible care for you and your family.

We Invite You To:

Learn more about how advisory recommendations shape preventive care
Access free, easy-to-understand resources on vaccines, screening, and wellness
Share your questions or feedback about public health guidance
Schedule a visit to discuss how national guidelines apply to your personal health goals

Visit crestwoodgeneral.com to explore patient resources, connect with our care team, or sign up for health updates.

Your health. Your voice. Backed by science.