Circumcision rates have declined significantly in the United States, driven in part by parents' distrust of medical advice, a new study says.
Circumcision of newborn boys declined from 54% to 49% between 2012 and 2022, according to records from more than 1.5 million U.S. male births.
The trend flies in the face of doctors' advice, researchers said, noting that the World Health Organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have all recommended that male babies be circumcised for lifelong health benefits.
The surgical removal of the foreskin from the penis is known to provide many health benefits, including better hygiene and a lower risk of urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases.
Related
