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The New York Times reports that Chinese health officials will abolish mandatory testing for hepatitis B during medical exams given to prospective college students, factory workers and government employees. This policy change means that individuals who test positive for hepatitis B will no longer be automatically barred from classrooms and jobs. Experts contend that cancelling blood testing for employment and academic purposes will not cause the disease to spread.
The change, brought about by public pressure, is significant because 120 million people in China are estimated to be infected with hepatitis B. Infected individuals have been prohibited from attending medical school, securing teaching positions or filling jobs in the food production industry.