Paper Requires New Workers to Take AIDS Tests

The Birmingham News has been requiring new employees to take AIDS tests because of health and financial concerns, the newspaper’s publisher said Wednesday.

The practice was begun about six months ago, Victor H. Hanson II told National Public Radio.

“We don’t want knowingly to get involved with somebody who has a debilitating illness that would be very costly to us,” Hanson was quoted as saying.

While the test for acquired immune deficiency syndrome antibodies is a condition of employment for new employees, the newspaper is not requiring those hired before the policy was implemented to take the test.

The blood test reveals the presence of antibodies to the AIDS virus, indicating whether a person has been exposed to the virus that causes the deadly disease. It does not indicate whether the virus itself is present or whether the person will develop the fatal ailment, and health officials say it can produce incorrect results.

State Health Officer Earl Fox said his department is not aware of any other employer giving the AIDS test in Alabama, outside of the military. He also said the State Committee on Public Health recently decided not to recommend mandatory AIDS testing.

“I’m not saying the Birmingham News shouldn’t do it,” Fox said. But he said the committee, which sets public health policy guidelines in Alabama, does not recommend mandatory testing because of possible civil rights and job discrimination questions.