RT Journal
A1 Belongia EA, Vergeront JM, Davis JP
T1 PRemarital hiv screening-reply
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 1989
FD April 21
VO 261
IS 15
SP 2198
OP 2198
DO 10.1001/jama.1989.03420150048017
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1989.03420150048017
AB In Reply. — 
    We agree with Dr Mercola that the cost of identifying a person with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is currently lower than our original estimate, although variations in the cost of testing limit the accuracy of this analysis. Dr Mercola, however, fails to recognize that a reduction of the cost estimate does not alter the main point of our letter: that premarital screening for HIV infection does not represent rational or effective public health policy. The goal of any screening program should be the prevention of additional illness. There is no evidence that this goal has been accomplished in Illinois. The prevalence of HIV infection is extremely low among marriage license applicants and the number of cases prevented is likely to be much lower than the number of cases identified. During 1988, twenty-six (0.017%) of 155 458 Illinois marriage license applicants were seropositive, but it is not