Pope Francis injured his right arm after suffering a fall earlier this week. According to the Vatican, while the 88-year-old pontiff did not break his arm, a sling was put on as a precaution. This incident comes just weeks after another fall on December 7, where he hit his chin on a nightstand, resulting in another, visible bruise. The pope's health has been a topic of ongoing speculation due to his age and medical history, which includes long bouts of bronchitis and mobility challenges. Often seen using a wheelchair or a cane, Francis also uses a walker within the Vatican's Santa Marta hotel, where he resides. Notably, his frailty has brought renewed attention to the risks of falls among elderly individuals and the steps one must follow to mitigate such falls.

Preventive Measures For Bone Health

A study published in Frontiers in Aging Neurosciences people get older, the bone density in the lower back and thigh bone decreases significantly. This raises the risk of osteoporosis (OP). Therefore it becomes pivotal to pay early attention to nutrition, exercise ability, vitamin D levels, and uric acid levels in older individuals to prevent Ostreopsis and mitigate fall risks. The risk of falls and bone injuries among elderly individuals underscores the importance of preventive measures for maintaining bone health and minimizing fall risks.

Elderly, particularly menopausal women, require a daily calcium intake of 1,200 mg, divided into two or more doses. This can be achieved through dietary sources such as dairy and non-dairy products or through supplements like calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. However, total daily calcium intake should not exceed 2,500 mg to avoid potential health risks.

Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone mineralization. While sunlight exposure helps synthesize vitamin D, older individuals often require supplements due to reduced skin synthesis and the limited availability of foods. Fortified milk and supplements containing 200–600 IU of vitamin D daily are recommended, with higher doses required for those with deficiencies. Severe cases may necessitate high-dose treatments, such as 50,000 IU weekly for up to three months, along with regular monitoring of calcium and vitamin D levels.

Regular exercise is vital for preserving bone mass and reducing fall risk. Weight-bearing activities, strength training, and balance exercises like brisk walking or skipping can enhance bone density and improve coordination. Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week, supplemented by strength training twice weekly. For individuals unable to engage in standard exercise routines, alternatives like vibrating platforms may help maintain bone health.

Falls remain a leading cause of fractures among individuals over 60. Addressing contributing factors such as balance issues, vision problems, and environmental hazards can significantly reduce risks. Preventive measures include regular vision checks, minimizing medications causing dizziness, improving home safety (e.g., installing railings and removing loose rugs), and wearing rubber-soled footwear. Hip protectors may also help mitigate the impact of falls.

People who survive Ebola virus disease (EVD) may continue to experience memory loss, irritability, and difficulty concentrating for more than seven years after recovering from the infection, according to a new study led by researchers at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The findings come as Ebola outbreaks continue in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, where confirmed cases have surpassed 650 and more than 130 deaths have been reported.

Long-Term Neurological Problems

The NIH partnered with Liberia's Ministry of Health to study the long-term effects of the disease during the 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa, which caused more than 28,000 infections and over 11,000 deaths across Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.

Researchers evaluated 148 adult Ebola survivors and 81 uninfected close contacts who served as a comparison group. The results revealed that many people experienced significant neurological symptoms during the acute phase of the illness, some of which continued for seven long years.

During infection, survivors commonly reported headaches, altered mental status, and stroke-like symptoms. Long-term complications affected the brain and nervous system and included cognitive dysfunction, persistent headaches, sleep disturbances, depression, sexual dysfunction, tremors, fatigue, cranial nerve abnormalities, and abnormal sensations.

The researchers also found that headaches and neurological abnormalities remained more common among Ebola survivors than in people who had not been infected.

"Over time, survivors' symptoms and neurological examinations improved; however, more than 7 years later, a significant proportion continue to endorse memory loss," the researchers wrote in the study, published in JAMA Neurology.

Similarities to Long COVID

Also read: WHO Says Ebola Fight Is Catching Up; Expert Explains Science Behind Patient Recoveries

The study noted that many participants experienced symptoms similar to those seen in other post-infection conditions, including Long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). These symptoms included headaches, memory loss, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

"This suggests possible shared pathophysiology, including persistent viral antigen or immune dysregulation," the researchers said.

However, the authors pointed out some important differences. While Long COVID and ME/CFS are often associated with autonomic nervous system dysfunction, such problems were not clearly identified among Ebola survivors, although dizziness and light-headedness were common.

How Does Ebola Affect the Brain?

The exact cause of long-term neurological problems after Ebola infection remains unclear. The researchers explained that during the acute illness, brain-related symptoms may be due to widespread inflammation, electrolyte imbalances, low blood pressure, blood-clotting abnormalities, or direct infection of the brain and nervous system by the virus.

On the other hand, long-term neurological issues may stem from persistent immune system changes, prolonged recovery from severe illness, or lingering viral material in the body.

Need For Continued Mental Health Care

Read More: Ebola Bundibugyo Outbreak: UK Scientists Identify 23 Unique Mutations

The researchers emphasized that neurological care should be a priority for clinicians treating Ebola survivors.

"Survivors experienced headaches, memory loss, and fatigue that may significantly impact quality of life," the authors wrote.

They noted that headaches often respond to standard preventive treatments, but survivors should continue to be monitored because of the rare risk of Ebola-related relapse in the central nervous system.

The study also found that many survivors experienced symptoms of depression, including suicidal thoughts. Because symptoms such as headaches, memory problems, concentration difficulties, and sleep disturbances can overlap with psychiatric disorders, the researchers stressed the importance of mental health evaluation and care.

Fortunately, many of these symptoms appear to improve or resolve over time with appropriate treatment and support.

Will Bundibugyo Survivors Face Lasting Brain Issues?

The current Ebola outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, which differs from the strain responsible for the 2014–2016 West African epidemic. Unlike the Zaire strain, there are currently no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments specifically for Bundibugyo Ebola, although some patients have recovered.

Researchers believe many of the long-term neurological effects observed in survivors of the West African outbreak could also occur in Bundibugyo survivors.

The World Cup is at the doorstep, and fans are excited to witness their favorite stars once again in their clash to get the golden trophy. It has been over 20 years since the World Cup returned to the US, though Canada and Mexico are also among the hosts. The fans are reaching America from all over the world. The players are also ready to make their mark on the largest scale of the sport.

Thus, it becomes crucial to keep the athletes fit and healthy. There is a huge team behind the scenes to treat and take care of your favorite stars, which requires strategy, planning, and most of all, accurate execution. On this backdrop comes a name that makes the difference known as the Pro Sports Doc, Riley J. Williams III, who is known to be an expert, and he will coordinate medical care during this demanding tournament.

The Pro Sports Doc, with his 20 years of experience, will be working and coordinating medical care in the New York / New Jersey area. In an interview with Muscle and Fitness, Riley J. Williams III put emphasis on players getting acclimatized and synchronizing their sleeping patterns with North America. He also mentioned creatine as a great health supplement. He also reveals that his team has readied the entire spectrum of possible medical issues that might occur while teams are in the market.

FIFA has also issued standard procedures to keep the players safe. Each Participating Member Association shall include at least one team medical doctor in its delegation, to be present in the technical area during all matches. It is a mandatory requirement that the team medical doctor of each Participating Member Association complete and successfully pass the “Concussion” and “Sudden Cardiac Arrest” modules of the FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine before the FIFA World Cup 26.

The team's medical doctor is responsible for the overall health of their team delegation and any clinical decision‑making in this regard, both on and off the field of play. Although the team doctors’ primary responsibility is to the players, their medical responsibility extends to all other members of the delegation. As such, all team doctors shall ensure that they have the appropriate registration and licence in their home country.

Each Participating Member Association shall ensure and confirm to FIFA that its players have undergone a cardiac screening, including personal and family history, clinical examination, and resting 12‑lead ECG, within the last 12 months and an echocardiography within the last 24 months before the start of the final competition of the FIFA World Cup 26. If specifically performed for the tournament, FIFA recommends that participating teams use the screening form developed by FIFA cardiology consultants.

More than 2,000 confirmed measles cases have been recorded in the United States so far this year, putting the country on track for its worst measles outbreak in decades.

The virus continues to spread in unvaccinated and under-vaccinated communities, including among infants who are too young to receive the vaccine, highlighting the growing impact of misinformation and declining vaccination rates.

Although measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000 and past outbreaks were rapidly contained, vaccination coverage has fallen in recent years, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing the risk of larger and more difficult-to-control outbreaks.

Health Experts have argued that the situation has been worsened by vaccine skepticism promoted by President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Kennedy has repeatedly framed measles vaccination as a personal choice and has also promoted vitamin A as a treatment option during the outbreak, prompting a surge in public interest.

RFK Jr.'s Statements Surged Vitamin A For Measles

Also read: Heading to FIFA World Cup 2026? Here's How to Stay Safe From Measles, Heatstroke

A June 2026 study published in the JAMA Network claimed that internet searches combining "vitamin A" and "measles" increased by 44 per cent on February 26, 2025, and reached peak popularity on March 22, 2025.

The study, led by Boston Children’s Hospital and University of California, also found that searches for "cod liver oil" and measles peaked at 52.6 per cent on March 5, 2025, following government statements in February advocating vitamin A as a treatment.

Earlier in 2025, Kennedy also falsely claimed that the MMR vaccine—which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella—causes encephalitis, or brain swelling, while also saying it "does stop the spread of the disease."

Excessive Vitamin A Use Led To Poisonings

In April 2025, America's Poison Centers (APC) reported a rise in the use of alternative measles prevention methods and warned about the risks associated with excessive consumption of vitamin A and cod liver oil, People.com reported.

"For patients with measles, particularly hospitalized children, vitamin A supplementation is recommended to help reduce the risk of severe complications," APC said in a statement.

According to APC, symptoms of vitamin A toxicity can include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headaches caused by increased intracranial pressure, bone pain, vision changes, and liver damage.

The organization reported 86 pediatric vitamin A exposure cases between January 1 and March 31, 2025—a 38.7 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2024. However, APC noted that there had been no increase in the severity of poisonings, with no major adverse effects reported in 2025.

Is Vitamin A Recommended for Measles?

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According to the Mayo Clinic, vitamin A supplementation is recommended for children with measles who are at increased risk of vitamin A deficiency. Research suggests that supplementation may help reduce the risk of death and severe complications from the disease.

However, health experts continue to stress that the MMR vaccine remains the most effective method of preventing measles.

"If someone is infected with measles, then vitamin A can help mitigate some of the longer-term sequelae, but it does not prevent measles in an unvaccinated person," infectious disease epidemiologist Catherine Troisi told Houston Public Media.

"Moderate doses of vitamin A can be useful in treatment, but the better choice is to prevent measles from happening in the first place through vaccination."