In the United States, the rate of newborn male circumcision has fallen in recent years, even though medical experts continue to cite health benefits. According to a new study from Johns Hopkins, the percentage of male infants circumcised during birth hospitalizations dropped from 54.1 % in 2012 to about 49.3 % in 2022.
Health authorities such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other professional bodies recognize that circumcision can help lower the risks of urinary tract infections, penile inflammation, and some sexually transmitted infections later in life. Nonetheless, many parents are choosing not to circumcise, even when medical professionals recommend it.
The decline is strongest among white families. Rates among Black and Hispanic families have also shifted, but less sharply. Among infants born in high-income ZIP codes and with private health insurance, circumcision rates were once among the highest, but they have seen some of the steeper declines.
Experts suggest a number of reasons for the drop. Some highlight growing parental skepticism of medical authority, or decisions based more on cultural, ethical, or personal views rather than strictly on medical advice. Others point to changing demographics: as the U.S. population becomes more diverse, cultures with lower circumcision norms have more influence overall.
Another factor is cost and insurance coverage. In places where Medicaid or other insurers provide less support for circumcision, or where policies have changed, the procedure is less common.
Also, for some births, hospital stays are shorter, which may reduce the opportunities for performing circumcisions immediately after birth.
Some healthcare providers say the decline could have public health implications. If fewer boys are circumcised, there may be modest increases in certain infections or conditions that circumcision tends to reduce. However, these risks are contested, and many parents view potential risks or ethical concerns as reasons to decline.
In essence, while medical professionals continue to affirm benefits of newborn male circumcision, more U.S. parents are declining it, choosing instead to rely on cultural beliefs, personal preference, or financial factors. The drop in circumcision rates raises questions for public health planners about how best to inform parents, address inequities in access, and ensure newborn health choices are made with clear understanding.
