The Health and Counseling Center (HCC) allegedly discriminated against Chinese international students when it required they be tested for tuberculosis earlier this year.
The HCC tested more than 400 international students, many of whom were from China but included Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia over the course of six weeks beginning Jan. 25.
“I was discriminated against,” said junior Jack Mao, a student from China studying math and philosophy, who was among the students selected to be tested. “I had to submit physical and immunization forms before I got here, and they were perfect.”
Mao noted many, though not all, Chinese students seemed to be selected for the test, which was initially offered at the HCC, the English Language Center (ELC) and Towers. Later rounds of testing were held at the office of Internationalization (I-House) for the convenience of the students, according to Christopher Wera, director of finance and administration at the HCC.
Mao also said when he became concerned that he was being discriminated against, he was told to call the HCC. He said he scheduled an appointment with a doctor to ask why he was being tested.
“My question was totally not medically related – it was not my intention to talk to a doctor, and I got a bill,” said Mao. “DU requested that we [get tested], and now I’m charged for asking why I got discriminated against. I don’t think they did a good job. They didn’t convey that it wasn’t discrimination.”
Wera said HCC did not discriminate against international students.
“There has never been a discriminatory aspect to the TB program at the University of Denver,” said Wera. “[DU] has a large international student population, and many of these students are from high-risk countries.”
The HCC will now expand its tuberculosis (TB) testing plan this summer to all students enrolled for the fall.
Wera said all students will be required to fill out a screening questionnaire via the HCC’s secure medical records system beginning in the fall. The questionnaire, provided by Wera, is based on criteria determined by the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Denver TB Clinic at Denver Health.
There are approximately 160 high-risk countries, such as China, South Africa and Bolivia as listed on the questionaire.
According to David Odell, interim medical director at HCC, the list of those tested earlier in the year was chosen based on countries that had a TB case rate greater than 20 per 100,000 people.
“There was a confirmed active case of tuberculosis on campus this fall,” said Wera. “The HCC’s proactive screening and testing measures were an act to prevent any identified latent cases of becoming active and to ensure the health and safety of the DU community and the population as a whole.”
Wera said the international students were tested first because these students have the highest risk of having latent TB as opposed to domestic students.
During the initial round of testing in winter quarter, students from high-risk countries who answered “yes” to one or more questions on a TB questionnaire were selected to be tested. The selected students were required to be tested by a given date or a registration hold would be placed on their accounts and they “would not be able to take classes,” according to an email sent to their HCC user accounts.
Odell said HCC chose the I-House to conduct the testing because it was a convenient location.
Students were given the option of a skin or blood test, according to Odell, although those who opted for a skin test were required to return at a later date for a blood test due to the potential inaccuracy of skin tests, which can create a false positive if the patient has previously had a BCG tuberculosis vaccine.According to Odell, students who tested positive in a blood test could have either active TB, which is symptomatic and contagious, or latent TB, which is silent and not contagious.
In the case of a positive diagnosis, students were referred to the Denver TB Clinic at Denver Health for X-rays, which check for lung scarring, and sputum tests.
About 20 percent of international students tested positive for latent TB. There were no positives for active TB.
Both X-rays and sputum tests can indicate the presence of active TB, in addition to symptoms such as weakness, weight loss and coughing up blood.
Sophomore Shuyan Lao, an international student from China, was in the group tested on April 10, after she was unable to make a previous testing time offered during finals in winter quarter.
On her testing day, she reported seeing around 30 students being tested at the I-House – all from China.
Odell emphasized that although DU has many Chinese students, no one country was targeted.
“Since Chinese students make up almost half of all of the DU international student population, they make up most of the students tested – it is how the percentages work out,” said Wera.
Odell said TB tests are often not excluded in medical records provided to DU.
“TB tests are actually not required by the state, university or federal government right now,” said Odell.
Additionally, Odell said TB is not treated as aggressively abroad as it is in the U.S.
Mao’s biggest concern was the confusing way in which the testing was communicated to international students.
“They aren’t very accessible; you get charged for talking to them,” said Mao. “A lot of international students don’t know what’s going on. It’s abuse of authority. They get tested out of fear [of being prevented from taking classes], they don’t really know what’s going.”
The HCC has been making an effort to improve communication with the international community, said Odell.
According to Wera, the president of the Chinese Student Association was present to translate, although no professional translation services were provided.
Although there is no elevated risk of contracting active TB, Odell said he always wants students to be aware of the dangers of TB, which can be deadly and resistant to treatment. Wera said the Health Promotion area will be conducting a large TB awareness campaign beginning later in the spring for incoming students and this summer for continuing students, to coincide with the new testing regimen.
“We always want people to be aware; we want them to cover their mouth and wash their hands. We are always open to answering any questions,” said Odell.
Wera said students who were concerned about discrimination should contact either Odell or himself.
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