A Johns Hopkins study shows U.S. newborn circumcision rates dropped below 50% from 2012–2022 despite strong medical endorsements, with White families driving the decline.
Circumcision among newborn boys in the United States has steadily declined over the past decade, despite endorsements from major health bodies.
A Johns Hopkins University study analyzing more than 1.5 million annual hospital records found that the proportion of newborns circumcised within their first month dropped from 54.1% in 2012 to 49.3% in 2022. This trend runs counter to recommendations from the World Health Organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all of which highlighted reduced risks of urinary tract infections, penile inflammation, and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
White Families Drive Largest Decline
White newborns saw the steepest decreases, falling from 65.3% in 2019 to 60.0% in 2022. Black families maintained the highest rates at about 66%, while Hispanic families consistently recorded the lowest at 21%. Regionally, the Midwest had the highest prevalence (68.5% in 2022), while the West remained lowest at 19.7%.
Wealth, Insurance, and Cultural Shifts Matter
Parents in wealthier zip codes and those with private insurance showed sharper declines, while Medicaid coverage cuts in 17 states added barriers. Researchers also pointed to cultural factors, growing skepticism of medical guidance, and demographic changes, particularly rising Hispanic births.
The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, concludes that health behaviors are shaped by cultural attitudes as much as clinical advice.