Ever since the Trump administration had signed in, a lot of things have changed in the health sector in the US. Among the many are also the changes in terms health professionals can use and recognize. This has come as an attack against the LGBTQ+ community, especially when Trump openly announced the existence of only two sexes: male and female. This puts the transgender community and those on the spectrum under threat. Recently too, a new law in South Dakota has restricted transgender people's use of communal facilities in public schools and state-owned buildings. This will be implemented from July 1.

The bill was signed by the Republican Government Larry Rhoden into law on Friday. This prohibits transgender people from using changing rooms and restrooms that align with their gender identity. The bill will also allow people who encounter transgender people into these facilities to seek declaratory and injunctive relief against the school or state if officials did not take reasonable steps to prevent the transgender person from using that facility.

Rhoden in a statement said, "South Dakota is a place where common-sense values remain common. freedom from the 'woke' agenda like what has happened in too many other places."

This is the first time South Dakota has had a state law restricting transgender people's bathroom access, thanks to the overwhelmingly conservative state legislature this session. A bill had previously passed through both chambers of the state legislature in 2016 before it was vetoed by then Gov. Dennis Daugaard.

What Happens When Transgender Students' Health When They Are Excluded From Washroom Policies?

As per the American Medical Association (AMA), denying transgender students this access endangers their health, safety and well-being and leads to negative health outcomes and heightens stigma and discrimination.

This is from 2019, when a group of parents of cisgender students filed a lawsuit challenging the Oregon school district's policy, stating that it violated their children's right to privacy. The case was known as the Parents for Privacy v. Dallas School District No 2.

As per AMA, excluding transgender students from bathroom policy can lead to mental health issues. Such policies threaten to exacerbate the risk of anxiety and depression, low self-esteem, engaging in self-injurious behaviors, suicide, substance use, homelessness, and eating disorder among other adverse outcomes. These policies require transgender individuals to live on "facet of their lives in contradiction with their gender identity".

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Physical Health Concerns

Apart from the battle that these students fight from within themselves, another fear that looms over them is the fear of UTI, and or constipation, which can make things worse in the long term.

And students who avoid using the restroom can have medical consequences, it could include recurrent urinary tract infections and constipation, as well as the possibility of more serious health complications, including hematuria and chronic kidney disease.

Hannah Jones, from Philadelphia, believes that paid medical leave has played a crucial role in her survival after being diagnoses with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Her employer's policy allowed her to take time off for chemotherapy and surgery without worrying about work. It also ensured that she did not have to delay treatments. This was a factor doctors emphasized was critical.

“I am cancer-free because I followed the treatment plan,” said Jones, 35, to Associated Press. “Paid leave made a huge difference in my survival.”

Why Paid Leaves Are Important For Health Checkups

An increasing number of states have now implemented laws that require employers to provide paid leaves. Advocates argue that these policies reduce the financial stress and also improve worker productivity. However, some businesses struggle with the added costs and compliance challenges.

What this means is that paid family and medical leave allows workers time off for personal health and also the caregiving responsibilities. Additionally, many states and cities have mandated paid sick leave for short-term illnesses. While some employers voluntarily offer these benefits. However, only 13 states and Washington D.C. require paid family and medical leave.

Some states now have also introduced certain leave policies. For instance, New York recently enacted paid leave for prenatal checkups. Other laws cover time off for domestic violence survivors and caregivers.

Is US A Global Outlier In Terms Of Paid Leaves?

Unlike most developed countries, the U.S. has no federal law guaranteeing paid leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act only ensures unpaid time off and excludes employees of small businesses.

According to UCLA’s World Policy Analysis Center, 95% of countries offer some form of paid leave, often for significant durations. “The U.S. is a major outlier,” said researcher Aleta Sprague.

Supporters argue that paid sick leave prevents disease spread and enhances workplace productivity by reducing “presenteeism”—when employees work while sick. For those with serious illnesses, paid leave ensures focus on recovery rather than financial survival.

Jones, for instance, took Fridays off for chemotherapy, allowing her to recover over the weekend before resuming work. Without paid leave, she and her husband might have had to deplete savings or sell their home to cover medical expenses.

What Are The Challenges Among Employers?

Small businesses, however, often struggle with these mandates. Skye Nevada, who runs a catering business in Alaska, said her company had to cancel hiring plans due to the costs of paid sick leave requirements.

Additionally, businesses operating across multiple states face compliance challenges due to varying leave laws. For employees, disparities between state policies can also create difficulties. Jones’ New York-based employer provided leave, but her husband’s Pennsylvania employer did not, forcing their family to rely on relatives for support during her treatment.

Pope Francis, the 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church has been recovering from a severe case of pneumonia. He has spent five weeks in the Gemelli hospital in Rome. As per the recent reports, his health is improving steadily. The Vatican officials noted that his condition remains stable, with slight improvements as he continues respiratory and physical physiotherapy. The pontiff has been reducing his reliance on high-flow supplemental oxygen and no longer requires mechanical ventilation at night.

Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the Vatican's chief of staff, has visited the pope multiple times during his hospitalization and has expressed optimism about his recover. “The pope will recover. The doctors say that he needs some time, but it’s going well progressively,” Peña Parra said. He described Francis as being in good humor, displaying his characteristic resilience and determination to move forward.

What Are The Challenges In Recovery

Pope Francis has shown signs of improvement, his recovery has not been without its challenges. The Vatican has also confirmed that he requires rehabilitation therapy to regain his strength, particularly his ability to speak after weeks of using noninvasive mechanical ventilation. His advanced age, along with a history of respiratory issues, has made his recovery a delicate process. As a young man, Francis had part of one lung removed, which makes respiratory illnesses particularly dangerous for him.

Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, one of the pope’s closest allies, revealed that Francis initially resisted hospitalization despite worsening bronchitis. It was only after those close to him threatened to resign that he agreed to go to the hospital. “I don’t know what swear words they used,” Fernández joked, indicating the level of insistence required to convince the pope to seek medical attention.

Despite the challenges, those close to Pope Francis believe that this period of illness may mark a significant transition in his leadership. Cardinal Fernández has hinted that the pope has been reflecting deeply during this time and that a “new stage” in his pontificate may be opening. “He is a man of surprises,” Fernández said, suggesting that Francis may return with renewed energy and new ideas for the Church.

This speculation has fueled discussions about the future of his papacy. Some observers have wondered whether he might consider stepping down due to health concerns, as his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, did. However, Fernández firmly ruled out any plans for resignation, stating that the pope remains committed to his role despite his health challenges.

What Can Be Learned From This Experience

Pope Francis has always been known for his workaholic nature, often prioritizing his duties over personal well-being. Fernández suggested that this experience may have forced the pope to reconsider his approach to health and self-care. “He has to certainly change, but I can't say what those details might be,” he said.

The pontiff himself has expressed a desire to use his remaining time wisely. “He wants to spend what little time he has left and says, 'I want to use it and not to take care of myself,'” Fernández remarked. However, his recent health scare may prompt a more balanced approach to his demanding schedule.

Everyone likes when their hard work pays off. Years of service is usually awarded by foreign trips or retiring abroad. This is the life when you transition to a life of non-work activities, whether it is travelling, diving into personal projects or even learning or new language. However, while all these plans to do all this in an affordable country seem like a great warm experience, it may have its downside: loneliness.

A latest study published in Psychology and Aging, titled Trouble In Paradise? Emotional and Social Loneliness Among International Retirement Migrants, suggests that retirees who move abroad often experience a greater social isolation than those who say in their home state.

How Was The Research Conducted?

The researchers compared nearly 5,000 Dutch retirees living abroad to more than 1,300 who stayed in Netherlands. The study found that retirees who moved overseas were socially isolated and even though they were also often healthier and wealthier than the ones who stayed back.

The lead author of the study, Esma Betül Savaş, who is also a doctoral researcher at the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographics Institute said in a news release, "although these retirement migrants generally report being happy, they may still face struggles adapting to a new country."

How Does Social Loneliness Occur?

This happens when you have a lack of broad circle of friends, whereas emotional loneliness is tied to lack of close friends and partners. You may have tons of friends, but no one to share deep thoughts with.

However, those who stayed back stayed connected with their friends and family back home, in fact, some of them were able to strengthen their relationships after retirement. However, there was also another group of retirees, those who built strong relationships in their new country and felt less isolated.

Researchers also found that those who engaged with their neighbors and felt a sense of belonging in their new home had lower levels of social loneliness. “Older adults may face double jeopardy in retiring to a new country as they are vulnerable to both age-related and migration-related risk factors for loneliness, and loneliness is itself a risk factor for adverse health outcomes,” Savaş said.

“It’s important for people considering retirement migration to think about how they can maintain their social ties in their origin country and make new ones in their destination country,” she concluded.

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What Can Social Loneliness Do At An Older Age?

As per the National Institute on Aging, social isolation and loneliness may be bad for brain health. These have been linked to poorer cognitive function and higher risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, little social activity and being alone also makes it more difficult to perform everyday tasks such as driving, paying bills, taking medicines, and cooking.

It could lead to:

• Loss of mobility
• Vision or hearing problems
• Psychological or cognitive challenges
• Feeling a lack of purpose
• Financial struggles
• Living alone
• Lack of transportation
• Inability to leave home without help