Historical Events tagged with "blood donation"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Health & Medicine

FDA Approves Blood Test for HIV Screening

March 4th, 1985 40 years ago

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a series of blood tests for the detection of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in March 1985. This pivotal decision came amid growing concern regarding the transmission of HIV through blood transfusions, particularly as cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) surged across the United States. The tests enabled hospitals and blood banks to screen donations effectively, thereby making significant strides in public health safety. As a result, the testing became a mandatory practice for all blood donations nationwide, showcasing the FDA's commitment to enhancing blood safety and managing the evolving challenges posed by infectious diseases.

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Health & Medicine

FDA Mandates Blood Donor Labeling Changes

January 13th, 1978 47 years ago

The United States Food and Drug Administration mandated that all blood donations be labeled as either from 'paid' or 'volunteer' donors. This requirement aimed to improve transparency in the blood donation system, assisting medical professionals in evaluating the safety and risk factors associated with blood products. The regulation was influenced by growing concerns over the quality of blood supplies and the need for tracing donor sources to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmissible infections.

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