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.

The infant formula available on the US market is safe, according to results from the largest and most rigorous study by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), released today.

Breast milk is widely known as the gold standard and optimal source of nutrition for infants whenever possible. However, as per the CDC, roughly 75 per cent of US infants are dependent on formula for the first six months, and for nearly 40 per cent, it is the exclusive source of nutrition.

The FDA noted that across 300 samples tested, an overwhelming majority had undetectable or very low levels of contaminants, affirming that the US infant formula supply is safe. But the federal agency plans to follow up with additional testing.

“We tested more infant formula than ever before, and the results are clear: most products meet a high safety standard—but even small exposures matter for newborns,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., in a statement.

“We will hold manufacturers accountable and give parents honest, transparent data they can trust. Protecting our children’s health is nonnegotiable," he added.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The study included more than 300 infant formula samples representative of products sold at retail across the US and included powders, ready-to-feed liquids, and concentrated liquids.

The samples were rigorously tested and analyzed in FDA laboratories. The results show that the overall levels of contaminants in the infant formula samples tested were low.

However, the FDA noted that it is following up with additional testing as part of the agency’s ongoing robust monitoring and oversight efforts and will take additional action where appropriate.

This includes conducting further testing, including for additional contaminants, continuing to engage with manufacturers on measures to reduce the levels of contaminants to as low as possible, and working to establish action levels for contaminants in infant formula.

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“You can judge a society by how it treats its most vulnerable members. That’s why we’re doing everything in our power to make sure our babies and infants have safe, high-quality formula options that are backed by a resilient supply chain,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary.

“The results of this study are encouraging. We will continue to advance formula innovation and safety for the millions of families who depend on it.”

Why Was The Baby Formula Tested?

Formula is made to imitate human breast milk and usually comes from cow milk or soy. According to the present FDA guidelines, every infant formula product is required to have 30 nutrients essential for infants in specific proportions.

Yet, the technology of infants' digestion and nutrition requirements has progressed immensely, leading experts to wonder if the standards are yet sufficient.

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In 2025, the FDA in 2025 began conducting a comprehensive review of infant formula ingredients in the face of increasing parental distrust and industry trends, which indicate that existing rules might not be completely in accordance with recent worldwide research on infant feeding.

Some of the main issues that were considered during the testing include the possibility of iron content, added sugars, and seed oils.

Australia has become the 30th country in the world to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, announced the World Health Organization (WHO).

Trachoma is the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness, which is preventable but cannot be reversed.

According to the WHO, Australia is among a growing number of countries that have successfully eliminated trachoma, contributing to global progress towards the targets set out in the WHO road map for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) 2021–2030.

“WHO congratulates Australia on this important achievement,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

“This success reflects sustained commitment, strong partnerships, and a focus on reaching populations most affected by health inequities. It brings us closer to a world free from the suffering caused by trachoma," he added.

How Australia Eliminated Trachoma

Australia has achieved the milestone after decades of targeted public health action, particularly in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, where trachoma persisted despite its earlier disappearance from the rest of the country.

The country established the National Trachoma Management Program in 2006 to boost efforts to fight the disease.

The program implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy:

• Surgery for trichiasis,
• Antibiotics to treat infection,
• Promotion of facial cleanliness,
• Environmental improvement.

Other measures undertaken include

• Regular screening of all communities classified as at-risk of trachoma
• Targeted treatment based on community-level data rather than mass drug administration,
• Prevention activities, including improvements in housing, water, sanitation, and hygiene,
• Strong integration with environmental health programs.

“Elimination of trachoma is a win for the eye health of communities across Australia, particularly those whose lives have been impacted by a disease that is entirely preventable,” said Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Ageing, Australia.

In addition to trachoma, Australia has several endemic NTDs, including Buruli ulcer, leprosy, and scabies.

Validation of elimination of trachoma as a public health problem marks the first time that WHO has confirmed the elimination of an NTD in Australia, which becomes the 63rd country globally and 16th in the Western Pacific Region to have eliminated at least one NTD.

What is Trachoma?

Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.

It spreads through close contact with infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, and flies that carry eye and nose discharge.

Environmental risks like poor hygiene, overcrowded households, and inadequate access to water and sanitation facilities can also lead to trachoma.

Repeated infections can lead to scarring of the eyelids, turning eyelashes inward, and ultimately causing blindness if untreated.

As per the WHO, trachoma is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people.

Blindness from trachoma is difficult to reverse.

In areas where trachoma is endemic, active (inflammatory) trachoma is common among preschool-aged children, with the proportion of such children affected sometimes being as high as 90 per cent infection becomes less frequent and shorter in duration with increasing age.

Infection is usually acquired when living in close proximity to others with active disease, and the family is the main setting for transmission.

An individual’s immune system can clear a single episode of infection, but in endemic communities, re-acquisition of the organism occurs frequently.

Trachoma is one of 21 diseases and disease groups that are regarded by the WHO as NTDs.

Together, NTDs affect more than 1 billion people worldwide, primarily in underserved populations with limited access to essential services such as clean water, sanitation, and health care.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that the Salmonella outbreak that infected 34 people in 13 states in the country is linked to backyard poultry.

The CDC, in its latest report, noted that backyard poultry, like chickens and ducks, can carry Salmonella germs even if they look healthy and clean. To date, no deaths have been associated with this outbreak, which started on February 26 and lasted up to March 31. However, 13 people have been hospitalized, the federal agency said.

Notably, the CDC analysis revealed that the Salmonella strain may be resistant to the antibiotic fosfomycin. Samples from eight of those patients showed there could be resistance to other antibiotics commonly used in Salmonella infections.

States Reporting Salmonella Outbreak

Michigan has the most cases, with six, followed by Wisconsin and Ohio, each of which has five cases.

Indiana, Kentucky, and Maine each have three cases. Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, New Hampshire, and Tennessee have each confirmed a single case.

Children Under Age 5 More Affected

Forty-one percent of case-patients in this outbreak are under the age of 5 years, and of the 29 people interviewed by investigators, 23 (79%) reported contact with backyard poultry in the days prior to illness.

“Children younger than 5 years old shouldn't handle the birds (including chicks and ducklings) or anything in the area where the birds live and roam. They are more likely to get sick from Salmonella,” the CDC said.

“Of 14 people who reported owning backyard poultry, 13 (93%) bought or obtained poultry since January 1, 2026,” the CDC said. “People reported getting their poultry from various places, including agricultural retail stores.”

The CDC said it will continue to investigate the hatcheries associated with cases.

What Can You Do To Be Safe?

• Always wash your hands for 20 seconds after touching birds, their supplies, or collecting eggs.
• Use a pair of dedicated shoes or boots for your coop and don't wear them inside your house.
• Keep birds and supplies outside the house to prevent spreading germs into your house.
• Children younger than 5 years old shouldn't handle the birds (including chicks and ducklings) or anything in the area where the birds live and roam. They are more likely to get sick from Salmonella.

The CDC also advised businesses to

• Source poultry from hatcheries that take steps to reduce Salmonella contamination.
• Clean and sanitize poultry display areas between shipments of new poultry.
• Provide handwashing stations or hand sanitizers next to poultry display areas and tell customers to wash their hands right after leaving these areas.
• Display poultry out of reach of customers, especially chil­dren, so they cannot easily touch the poultry.

What is Salmonella?

As per the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Salmonella is a group of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever called salmonellosis. It can be spread by food handlers who do not wash their hands and/or the surfaces and tools they use between food preparation steps. It can also happen when people consume uncooked and raw food. Salmonella can also spread from animals to people.

The FDA notes that people who have direct contact with certain animals, including poultry and reptiles, can spread the bacteria from the animal to food if hand washing hygiene is not practiced.

Pets, too, could spread the bacteria within the home environment if they eat food contaminated with Salmonella.

Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 6 hours to 6 days after being exposed to the bacteria.

The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.

In some people, the illness may be so severe that the patient is hospitalized.

Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness.