Circumcision

Circumcision is an important decision for parents of male newborns.  The choice is simple for some families because they follow their cultural or religious beliefs.  However, for other families this decision may be so clear.

Documented research has shown that male circumcision can reduce a males risk of contracting HIV and lowers the risk of other sexually transmitted diseases.

As a statistical agency, NCHS does not have a view on that particular subject but we do track male infant circumcision through our National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS).

NHDS reported that 65% of newborns were circumcised in 1999, and the overall proportion of newborns circumcised was stable from 1979 through 1999. In 2007, the NHDS found that 55% of male infants were circumcised.

For more information on male circumcision:

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/prevention/research/malecircumcision/

http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/decisions-to-make/Pages/Circumcision.aspx