Materials Reviewed by Statewide Program Materials Review Panel (PMRP)

About The PMRP

In accordance with regulations set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the Program Materials Review Panel (PMRP) evaluates new and revised written and audiovisual educational materials for use in DSHS HIV/STD prevention activities statewide. All PMRP panelists are community-based, non-DSHS employees. The PMRP is designed to represent a reasonable cross-section of the state's population. Since the panel reviews many materials for many different audiences, no one target population will predominate the composition of the panel. Local HIV/STD contractors funded by DSHS may adopt educational materials approved by the statewide PMRP without further review at the local level. However, local contractors may choose to review state-approved educational materials to determine appropriateness for the communities they serve.
 

Quick links to materials reviewed in:  2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010

PROGRAM MATERIALS REVIEW PANEL (PMRP) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What is a Program Materials Review Panel (PMRP)?

A Program Materials Review Panel (PMRP) is a CDC-mandated panel set up at the agency, local, regional, state, or federal level to review HIV educational materials for accuracy, ease of understanding, and appropriateness for their intended audiences.
 

What must be reviewed by a PMRP?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) require all HIV educational materials to be used under a contractor’s DSHS project plan to be reviewed and approved by a local, regional, state, or federal Program Materials Review Panel (PMRP). These materials include:

• written materials
• audio visual materials
• pictorials
• social marketing
• advertising materials
• educational materials
• social media communications (e.g., Facebook, Twitter)
• electronic communications (internet/webpages)
   

What does NOT have to be reviewed by a PMRP?

Only materials that are providing HIV-related information for educational and informational purposes are required to be reviewed by Program Materials Review Panel. Materials that do not require review by a PMRP are those that serve no educational purpose:

• organizational notifications
• surveillance data
• changes to dates/times of marketing materials.
   

Who must comply with PMRP requirements?

Any agency that receives HIV funding from CDC and/or DSHS must either convene or identify a PMRP to review educational materials. All agencies funded through CDC and/or DSHS sign an assurance of compliance to this effect.
 

What requirements must a PMRP panelist meet?

According to CDC guidelines,¹ PMRP panelists should have some knowledge of the science of HIV, current HIV prevention and treatment methods in acquisition and transmission, and understand local epidemiology. PMRPs should also represent a reasonable cross-section of the population served.
 

How many people must be on a PMRP?

According to CDC, all PMRPs must contain at least five (5) persons that constitute a “reasonable cross-section” of the general population.
 

Do PMRPs need to have health department representation?

Yes. All PMRPs must have a state or local health department representative serving on the panel. This would ideally be a health department employee, but a health department may designate another person with subject matter expertise if a department employee is not available.
 

Can PMRPs consist of only agency employees?

No. While agency employees may serve on a PMRP, the panel must also include non-agency employees.
 

What should PMRPs look for when reviewing materials?

The review process is designed to ensure that educational materials are accurate, well-designed, easy to understand and culturally appropriate for the audience being targeted. Materials should also explain methods for reducing risk of HIV infection.
 

Are panelists required to act as censors?

Although all HIV educational materials must encourage healthy behaviors and may not promote or encourage sexual activity and substance abuse, this clause may not be construed to restrict information about reducing risk to HIV or STD infection so long as materials are not obscene*. The PMRP process in Texas is designed to improve educational materials, not censor them.
 

Do materials already reviewed and approved for use at the state or federal level need to be reviewed by the local PMRPs?

No. Materials that have been reviewed at the federal level by CDC or at the statewide level by the DSHS PMRP do not need to be re-reviewed. However, a local or regional PMRP can choose to “re-review” materials for appropriateness if deemed necessary by the panel. 
 

What PMRP documentation must be on file with DSHS?

• CDC “Assurance of Compliance” form listing all PMRP panelists with affiliation and contact information.
• Electronic or print copies of all materials reviewed by PMRP (URL links to online materials are also acceptable).
• Record of materials reviewed by PMRP, including record of all panelist votes and approval/disapproval outcome.
   

Who at DSHS should I submit the above documentation to?

PMRP documentation should be scanned and submitted electronically to the Health Communication and Community Engagement Group at hivstd@dshs.texas.gov. Electronic submission is strongly preferred, but arrangements can be made for print submission if necessary.
 

Who should I contact with PMRP-related questions?

PMRP questions should be directed to the HIV/STD Section at 737-255-4300 or hivstd@dshs.texas.gov.

Helpful PMRP-related links:

1. Program Guidance on the Review of HIV-Related Educational and Informational Materials for CDC Assistance Programs (Updated: June 2016): cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/funding/announcements/ps12-1201/cdc-hiv-ps12-1201-content-review-guidance.pdf (PDF)
2. List of materials reviewed by the DSHS statewide PMRP.

Last Updated: February 1, 2019

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* “Obscene” as defined by the “contemporary community standards” provision outlined in the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court case Miller vs. California. For more information on selected Supreme Court obscenity cases, go to: findlaw.com/01topics/06constitutional/cases.html.

Quick links to materials reviewed in:  2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010