The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released on Tuesday, new federal guidelines on circumcision telling the public that medical evidence supports the importance of this procedure and why health insurance companies should cover it.
CDC guidelines however do not reprimand parents to have their newborn sons to be circumcised but it is rather a personal decision that can entail religious and cultural beliefs and preferences. Dr. Jonathan Mermin made it clear but added, "The scientific evidence is clear that the benefits outweigh the risks."
In history, these guidelines are the first for circumcision, which is a minor operation which involves cutting the foreskin around the tip of the penis. The prepuce can hoard germs and other microorganisms that can cause infection. It can lower the risk of sexually-transmitted diseases, cancer of the penis and urinary tract infections.
The guidelines were drafted over seven years ago when studies were done and showed that in Africa, circumcision might help stop the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
According to Dr. Aaron Tobian of John Hopkins University, a researcher in one of the studies in Africa, "The benefits of male circumcision have become more and more clear over the last 10 years."
Yet, according to CDC, the number of newborn male circumcision has dropped dramatically over the years and the set of guidelines is very essential to inform parents of the benefits of this procedure. The guidelines will be published in the federal register and for 45 days, the CDC will receive public comment before it can be finalized in 2015.
Circumcision has been practiced by the Jew and Muslims for thousands of years but did not come to the United States until the 20th century. Only 25% of American male newborns were circumcised in 1900. But it became a cultural practice by the 1960s where in 80% were circumcised. But in the 21st century, the rate slowly deteriorated.
Also, health insurance companies stopped paying for newborn circumcisions that will cause $150 to $200. In 2010, the data released by the CDC showed that only 58% were circumcised.
