Benefits of male circumcision reconfirmed as rates decline [View all]

Source: USA Today

Evidence that male circumcision has health benefits is growing, even as the quick but often-controversial surgery becomes less common in the United States, say medical experts making new efforts to publicize the benefits.

In a study out Monday, researchers say falling infant circumcision rates could end up costing billions of U.S. health care dollars when men and their female partners develop AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections and cancers that could have been prevented.

Separately, the American Academy of Pediatrics is about to issue a new policy statement that says infant circumcision has "significant" health benefits, replacing a statement that takes a more neutral stance.

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The researchers say that if U.S. rates dropped to 10% — the level seen in European countries where insurers don't cover circumcision — the results would include:

•211% more urinary tract infections in baby boys.
•12% more HIV cases in men.
•29% more human papillomavirus (HPV) cases in men.
•18% more high-risk HPV infections in women.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-08-20/male-circumcision-rates/57169976/1?loc=interstitialskip