More Gay Men Can Give Blood Per FDA

The Red Cross, the organization that provides about 40% of US blood and blood components, now uses a more inclusive risk-based individual assessment to determine if someone is eligible to give blood, regardless of their sexual orientation. For nearly 40 years, guidance from the FDA banned most gay men from donating blood, even if they personally posed no threat to the blood supply.

“The Red Cross believes this is one of the most significant changes in blood banking history,” said Rodney Wilson, a senior biomedical communications specialist with the Red Cross. “It makes blood donation more inclusive and it also keeps the blood supply safe.” Read more from CNN here.