Circumcision

See: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20120827/new-policy-supports-choice-male-circumcision.  Excerpt:

“Studies from Africa and Europe show that circumcision cuts the rate of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, herpes simplex, and human papillomavirus (HPV). Evidence also shows that circumcision reduces the rate of urinary tract infections, especially in the first year of life; reduces the risk of penile cancer; and reduces the risk of cervical cancer in sexual partners.

What’s more, a study published last week in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine estimated that if circumcisions continue to decline to levels seen in Europe, the U.S. could see:

·         A 12% increase in men infected with HIV

·         A 29% increase in men infected with HPV

·         A 19% increase in men infected with herpes simplex

·         A 211% increase in urinary tract infections in infants”

It really makes me wonder what is going on here.  In 1989, the American Academy of Pediatrics saw benefits.  Then in 1999, they said there were no benefits.  Now they find significant benefits.  There don’t seem to be any advances in the relevant issues to study or in the possible techniques.  So why would they be changing their mind so much?  It may be attributable to studies performed by other organizations.  But this does not create confidence that the AAP is critically reviewing the studies before publishing conclusions.

Tidbits

A review of the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study showed that the likelihood of coronary heart disease was significantly higher among people with blood types A, B and AB compared with those with type O. Rh factor was not associated with any difference in cardiovascular risk
(http://www.smartbrief.com/news/ahip/storyDetails.jsp?issueid=6B380F66-F6EC-427D-A5D4-E9F694EDB434&copyid=B81BBF98-5F7F-4C55-8E30-02209B42FB59&sid=ef128aed%2dbf15%2d4049%2d85c5%2de984f6aeb71c&brief=ahip)

Since the vaccine against chickenpox became available in the United States, the country is seeing a lot less of the disease.  Between 2000 and 2010, the incidence of chickenpox declined nearly 80 percent, from 43 cases per 100,000 people, to nine cases per 100,000 people, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

(http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/2970-chickenpox-cases-drop-80-in-last-decade.html)

Only 31% of TX doctors now accept Medicaid patients because the reimbursements are too low. ("'You lose money' - small clinics leaving Medicaid System", Mark Haslett, Amarillo Globe-News, August 12, 2012)