Red Cross implements end to blood donor restrictions on gay, bisexual men

• The restrictions were established during the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s.

The big picture: Starting Monday, individual donor risk assessments will be conducted for all potential donors regardless of gender or sexual orientation, per the Red Cross.

• "The Red Cross celebrates this significant progress and also recognizes there is more work to be done to make blood donation even more inclusive," the organization said.
• All potential donors will complete the same risk assessment questionnaire to determine their recent sexual activity, with the aim of reducing "the risk of transfusion-transmitted HIV," according to the FDA.
• The FDA said in May that the new rules would potentially increase the number of people eligible to donate blood.

Zoom out: The Red Cross says it provides around 40% of the country's blood and blood components — but has warned of severe shortages.

• Only around 3% of people who are old enough to donate do so each year, the group says.
• The shortage has affected areas such as Austin, Philadelphia, and Northwest Arkansas.