FDA Makes It Easier For Gay, Bisexual Men To Donate Blood
- 4 years ago
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 has presented an opportunity to revisit some health policies in the 1980s.
UPI reports the US Food and Drug Administration on Thursday lessened restrictions that prevent many gay and bisexual men from donating blood.
The agency made the changes at the urging of several Democratic lawmakers and gay rights activists.
The new guidelines shorten the donation deferral period for sexually active gay and bisexual men from 12 months to three.
That means they will now have to abstain from same-sex sexual activity for 90 days before they can donate blood.
Men who have sex with other men are at greater risk of acquiring HIV
The change in policy lines up with the time it takes to detect the virus in blood following infection.
UPI reports the US Food and Drug Administration on Thursday lessened restrictions that prevent many gay and bisexual men from donating blood.
The agency made the changes at the urging of several Democratic lawmakers and gay rights activists.
The new guidelines shorten the donation deferral period for sexually active gay and bisexual men from 12 months to three.
That means they will now have to abstain from same-sex sexual activity for 90 days before they can donate blood.
Men who have sex with other men are at greater risk of acquiring HIV
The change in policy lines up with the time it takes to detect the virus in blood following infection.