Neonatal Circumcision Rates Decline: US Trends & Health Benefits
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Declining Male Circumcision Rates in the US despite Health Recommendations
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A new study reveals a nearly 5% decrease in neonatal male circumcision rates in the United States over the past decade, despite recommendations from leading health organizations.
What is Male Circumcision and Why is it Recommended?
Male circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin from the penis.Historically, physicians observed health benefits in their circumcised patients, and modern research continues to support these observations. Current evidence demonstrates that circumcision reduces penile inflammation, the risk of urinary tract infections, and the acquisition of sexually transmitted infections like HIV, genital herpes, and HPV (wich can cause cancers).
Based on this evidence,the World Health Institution (2007), the American Academy of Pediatrics (2012), and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018) all reccommend male circumcision for newborns, citing lifelong health benefits.
Study Findings: A Decade of Declining Rates
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health analyzed data from over 1.5 million U.S. hospitalizations of male newborns (ages 0-28 days) between 2012 and 2022. Their findings,published in JAMA Pediatrics,show a significant decrease in circumcision prevalence during this period.
“We reviewed over 1.5 million U.S. hospitalizations of male neonates, ages 0 to 28 days, during the period 2012 to 2022, and found that the overall prevalence of hospitalizations where a neonatal male circumcision was performed decreased significantly, from 54.1% to 49.3%.Decreases were observed across most patient and hospital subgroups, including whites – a group with traditionally high circumcision rates – where circumcisions dropped 5.3% over the decade studied.”
– Aaron Tobian, M.D., Ph.D., study co-senior author, professor of pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Specifically, the overall prevalence of hospitalizations with neonatal male circumcision (NMC) performed decreased from 54.1% in 2012 to 49.3% in 2022 – a decline of nearly 5%. This decrease was observed across various demographic groups, including White individuals, who historically have had higher circumcision rates, experiencing a 5.3% drop over the study period.
Factors Contributing to the Decline
The study doesn’t definitively explain the reasons for the declining rates. However, several factors likely contribute:
- Changing Parental Preferences: Increased awareness and discussion surrounding bodily autonomy and parental choice may influence decisions.
- Cost and Insurance Coverage: Circumcision is not always covered by insurance, and the cost can be a barrier for some families.
- Misinformation and concerns about Pain: Concerns about pain and potential complications, sometimes fueled by misinformation, may deter parents.
- Shifting Cultural norms: Cultural attitudes towards circumcision