Health officials in New York City are considering encouraging men to become circumcised as a measure to reduce the city’s high incidence of HIV. According to an article in The New York Times, New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) has been encouraged by data coming out of WHO (World Health Organization).
WHO is planning to encourage countries to expand male circumcision as a method of controlling HIV spread. According to two recent large human studies, circumcision can reduce a man’s risk of becoming infected with the AIDS virus by approximately 50%. A human trial in Kenya showed that circumcised men had a 53% lower chance of becoming infected with the AIDS virus, compared to non-circumcised men. Another trial in Uganda showed the infection risk was 48% lower for circumcised men.
The NY DHMH would like to see hospitals and clinics provide male circumcisions without insurance. An article in the Washington Post said the DHMH wants to raise public awareness of the risks and advantages of male circumcision.
Over half of US male whites are circumcised; the percentages are much lower for Hispanics, blacks and males not born in the USA.
— New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today