The circumcision rate for male babies is dropping in the United States, new research shows.
According to research published by Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, neonatal male circumcision rates, referring to males ages between 0 and 28 days, have declined by nearly 5 percent from 2012 to 2022.
Newsweek contacted Johns Hopkins Medicine by email to comment on this story.
Why It Matters
Circumcision is a procedure in which a medical provider removes the foreskin of a penis from a patient. It is a rite of passage in some religions, such as Islam and Judaism. Some scientists argue it leads to a lower risk of some sexually transmitted infections and other conditions, including penile inflammation and urinary tract infections.
However, others have raised concerns that the procedure is not necessary and can impede upon the rights of infants. Others warn it can lead to reduced penile sensitivity in adult life.
What To Know
The researchers found in their study of over 1.5 million male babies that in 2012, 54.1 percent of the male neonate population were circumcised. In 2022, this figure dropped to 49.3 percent.
The researchers found that this decline took place among different racial demographics, including Asian and Pacific Islanders and Native Americans, but that it was particularly noticeable among white babies. 65.3 percent of white babies were circumcised in 2012, but this figure decreased to 60 percent in 2022.
It also found that the number of circumcisions was relatively stable among Black and Hispanic babies during the period.
The researchers said the declining rates were because of skepticism about medical recommendations, cultural influences, and 17 states rolling back on Medicaid coverage for routine circumcisions during this period.
The researchers used the Kids’ Inpatient Database, a pediatric inpatient dataset in the U.S.
What People Are Saying
John Geisheker, the director of Doctors Opposing Circumcision, told Newsweek: “We are delighted that the rates are dropping.”
He said rates may be dropping because “people are suspicious of big pharma and big medicine.”
However, he said he was concerned some circumcisions might be happening outside of hospitals instead, which he said would be less safe.
Dr. Aaron Tobian, a professor of pathology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine who co-authored the study, told Newsweek: “Randomized trials have demonstrated that male circumcision reduces the risk of penile inflammation, urinary tract infections, HIV, genital herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV) – a virus that causes penile cancer. Additionally, circumcision has been shown to lower bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and HPV-related cervical cancer in the female partners of circumcised men. In light of these data, the American Academy of Pediatrics updated its policy in 2012 to support male circumcision. While it may take some time, as male circumcision rates go down, the rate of these infections will likely increase.
“The decreasing trend in circumcision is disappointing since there are so many health benefits. The decrease is likely multifactorial. Medicaid no long covers payment for the procedure in more than a dozen states. There is increasing distrust of medical advice. Hispanics – the ethnic group with the lowest circumcision prevalence – also is the largest growing population in the United States. All of these factors likely are skewing the rate downward.
“It is important for clinicians to be aware of the medical benefits of male circumcision so they can counsel their patients with the most recent and up-to-date medical knowledge.”
In a 2012 policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): “Evaluation of current evidence indicates that the health benefits of newborn male circumcision outweigh the risks.”
What Happens Next
Whether circumcision rates change in the country remains to be seen. Researchers will continue monitoring these trends.