Premarital blood testing, once a common requirement before obtaining a marriage license, aimed to identify potential health risks for individuals and their offspring. These tests screened for diseases such as syphilis, rubella (German measles), and, later, HIV. The requirement’s premise was to inform couples of potential health issues that could affect their marriage and family planning.
The decline in mandatory screening stems from several factors, including advancements in medical testing accuracy, improved public health awareness, and concerns about cost-effectiveness and individual privacy. Mandatory testing proved less effective in disease prevention than anticipated, particularly with the rise of HIV, as testing shortly before marriage did not always reflect long-term risk. The cost of widespread testing, coupled with the availability of more targeted and voluntary testing programs, further contributed to the shift.
