HIV infection rates are a major public health problem especially in Africa. Treatment with retroviral medications is expensive and not available in many regions of the continent. Prevention is of great importance if the spread is to be curtailed.

According to final data from two National Institute of Health-funded studies conducted in Uganda and Kenya published in the February 23, 2007  issue of the journal Lancet, routine male circumcision could reduce a man’s risk of HIV infection through heterosexual sex by 65 per cent.

• Dr. Maria Wawer, Professor in the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Adjunct Clinical Professor of Public Health at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health