Height is a sensitive topic for many people. While some people do not care about how tall or short they are, for others it is a concerning subject. Growing up we were taught to eat all our vegetables, play sports and enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle if we wish to grow taller. However, there are many kids who grew up playing sports and enjoying healthy foods, who grew up to be just average or shorter than average. So, what exactly determines our height?

According to MedlinePlus, scientists estimate that approximately 80% of a person's height is determined by the variations in their inherited DNA. However, the specific genes involved and how these genetic differences affect height are still not fully understood. While some rare genetic changes can have a large impact on height, for most people, height is influenced by a combination of many genetic variants, each with a smaller effect.

For most of us, our height is a mix of many tiny changes in our DNA, each making us just a little bit taller or shorter, plus things around us like the food we eat. Scientists have found over 700 of these tiny DNA changes, and they think there are many more to discover. Some of these changes affect the soft stuff in our bones that helps them grow longer when we're kids. But for many other height-related DNA parts, we still don't know what they do.

What Effect Genes Have On Your Height?

Besides those big DNA changes that cause rare problems with height, scientists have found hundreds of other DNA parts linked to unusual conditions that really affect how tall someone gets. These include DNA parts with names like FBN1, GH1, EVC, and GPC3, which are connected to conditions that can make people very short or very tall.

By looking at how these big DNA changes mess with height, scientists hope to understand better how all the different DNA parts work together to make us the height we are normally.

Some DNA parts, like ACAN, have rare changes that cause serious growth problems, but also other changes that just make people a little taller or shorter without causing any health issues. Finding all the DNA parts that affect height, whether a lot or a little, is something scientists are working hard on.

Do Enviromental Factors Affect Height Changes?

Things around us also play a role in how tall we end up. This includes what our moms ate when they were pregnant with us, if they smoked, and if they were around anything harmful. A kid who eats good food, stays healthy, and is active will probably be taller as an adult than a kid who doesn't eat well, gets sick a lot, or doesn't get good healthcare. Even things like how much money your family has, how much education they have, and what kind of jobs they work can affect height.

Sometimes, people from certain parts of the world are, on average, taller or shorter, but when families move to a place with better food and healthcare, their kids can end up being much taller. This suggests that some of the height differences we see between groups of people aren't really about their code, but about these other things.

"Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones

And I will try to fix you"

These lyrics of "Fix You" have resonated with many in the past. Especially for when people were struggling. However, for even the brightest stars, dark days are inevitable. Chris Martin, who is the lead vocalist of Coldplay and one of the most celebrated musicians in the world also opened up about struggling with depression. In an Instagram video which was recorded after a concert in Hong Kong, Martin shared a few simple, but meaningful tools and types which have helped him navigate mental health challenges.

"We are in Hong Kong... I've noticed that some people lately, including myself, are struggling a little bit with depression. So I wanted to talk to you about some things that are helping me on tour and in life in general, in the hope that they can help you as well."

What Tools Have Helped Him?

Freeform Writing: Among the methods, he highlighted the importance of freeform writing. It is a practice where one writes continuously on paper for 12 minutes without any judgments and then discards the paper.

It is a form of expressive writing, which researchers have also found to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. As per a 2017 study published in Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, expressive writing can help individuals process traumatic or difficult emotions. It can also promote emotional regulation and mental clarity.

Transcendental Meditation: Martin also credited transcendental meditation or TM as transformative. It is a form of silent mantra meditation that has shown promising results even in studies too. A 2014 meta-analysis in Current Hypertension Reports found that TM can reduce psychological distress, including anxiety and depression. It is even better with consistent practice. For Martin, it has been a tool to ground himself amid the chaos of touring.

The Costello Method: He also notes proprioception, which is the sense of relative position and movement of one's own body. He pointed to the Costello Method, which was developed by Jim Costello, which is used to improve brain-body coordination, especially for those with ADHD and autism. Research on this is limited, however, proprioceptive activities in general like balancing exercises or joint compression have been found to support emotional regulation.

Breathing In And Out: Martin also highlighted the book The Oxygen Advantage by Patrick McKeown. The book emphasizes on the power of proper breathing techniques. The book also focuses on breathing exercises, especially those promoting nasal breathing and CO2 tolerance. These have shown to lower stress levels and improve resilience. Studies have also linked slow, deep breathing to lower cortisol levels and improved autonomic nervous system functions.

Music And Films For Mental Health: He also finds joy in music and films. Of course, this is something we all do, which is why so many have resonated with "Fix You". He also mentioned Music For Psychedelic Therapy by Jon Hopkins for listening and the movie Sing Sing for people to watch. He described these both as uplifting. The power was music have earlier also been well documented. In fact, a 2016 study in the Journal of Affective Disorders noted that music therapy significantly improves mood and quality of life in people with depression.

Talking About Mental Health Challenges

This is not the first time Martin has opened up about his mental health challenges. In 2014, after his divorce from Gwyneth Paltrow, he admitted that he had been facing daily struggles and depression. "There are still many days when I wake up and feel down, but this experience has given me extra tools to keep going," he told to The Sunday Times.

In 2023, his partner, actress Dakota Johnson also talked about Martin's strength at the 17th Annual Hope Luncheon. She said, "Chris has been there for me in the most difficult times. There is a gentleness in the way he supports me that I have never found before.”

For Martin, music remains his lifeline. “My head tends to be filled with negativity, and music has always been the place where I find some light and meaning,” he shared in an interview with NME. His vulnerability not only humanizes him but also offers hope and practical tools to anyone navigating mental health struggles.

Observed every year on 17th of April, World Hemophilia Day plays a very important role in increasing awareness about hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. Hemophilia is defined as a sudden and excessive bleeding after an injury by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. As many as 33,000 males suffer with this disease in the United States. For women, the symptoms may be mild but, it can still lead to reduced joint range of motion.

World Hemophilia Day 2025 History

The World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) started World Hemophilia Day in 1989. They picked April 17th to honor Frank Schnabel, the founder of WFH, on his birthday, as a way to bring the community together. Haemophiliia Foundation Australia stated that WFH has a dream called "Treatment for All." They want a world where everyone with inherited bleeding disorders can get medical care, no matter what kind of bleeding problem they have, if they are a man or woman, how old they are, or where they live. This April, let's celebrate our community and keep working towards a world where everyone, whether they have hemophilia A or B, von Willebrand disease (VWD), or any other bleeding disorder, can get diagnosed, treated, and receive complete care

World Hemophilia Day 2025 Theme

Choosing "Access for All: Women and Girls Bleed Too" as the theme is a big step. It helps us look at the special needs of women and girls with these conditions. Often, their problems are not seen as much as men's. This day wants to make sure their struggles are noticed and that they get better care. Historically, the experiences and challenges faced by this population have been less visible within the broader bleeding disorders community.

This aims to bring their unique struggles to the forefront. The National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF), has expressed their enthusiasm about the theme, and how meaningful it is. They commended the advocacy of the International Women & Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee.

The central theme for World Hemophilia Day 2025, "Access for All: Women and Girls Bleed Too," directly addresses the systemic inequities faced by Women & Girls with Bleeding Disorders (WGBDs). This theme underscores the critical need to:

Combat Underdiagnosis

Many women and girls experience significant delays or fail to receive a proper diagnosis due to prevailing misconceptions about who is affected by bleeding disorders.

Improve Treatment Access

Even when diagnosed, WGBDs often do not receive the same level of care and treatment as their male counterparts.

Raise Awareness

There is a significant lack of understanding among the general public and even healthcare professionals regarding how bleeding disorders manifest in women and girls.

Enhance Quality of Life

The consequences of undiagnosed or poorly managed bleeding disorders can severely impact the educational, professional, and personal lives of women and girls.

World Hemophilia Day 2025 Importance

World Hemophilia Day 2025, under the banner of "Access for All: Women and Girls Bleed Too," is of paramount importance for several reasons:

Increased Visibility

It provides a global platform to raise awareness about the specific challenges faced by women and girls with bleeding disorders.

Advocacy for Change

The day serves as a catalyst for advocating for improved diagnostic pathways, treatment protocols, and overall care for WGBDs.

Community Unification

It unites the global bleeding disorders community in a shared commitment to ensuring equitable access to care for all individuals, regardless of gender.

Call to Action

It encourages individuals, healthcare providers, and policymakers to take concrete steps towards addressing the unmet needs of women and girls with bleeding disorders.

Nobody likes getting cuts, but it is inevitable of course. However, what makes it worse is when from even a minor cut, your blood won't stop. This may be because you have hemophilia. It is a rare genetic disorder, but it could happen when your blood does not clot and make your bleeding slow down or stop.

As per Dr Satyaranjan Das, who is the Director of Haemato-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant at Max Super Specialty Hospital, Noida, there are five types of hemophilia. It is an illness where the blood does not clot as it should. Normally, there are specific proteins called clotting factors that stop the bleeding in hemophilia, one of these factors is either missing or does not work correctly under this condition, explains Das.

The Types of Hemophilia:

• Hemophilia A is the most common. It happens when the body doesn't have enough Factor VIII.
• Hemophilia B (otherwise known as Christmas disease) occurs due to decreased levels of Factor IX.
• Hemophilia C is rare and generally less severe. It is due to deficiency in Factor XI.

"Gene for Hemophilia A and B are inherited via the X-chromosome, and hence they mainly affect boys. Girls can carry the gene and occasionally develop symptoms. Hemophilia C is different—it affects men and women and is more common in some Jewish families," explains the doctor.

What Are The Other Kinds Of Hemophilia or bleeding disorder?

The doctor notes that there are a few other rare conditions of other factors involved in clotting (e.g., Factor II, V, VII, X, XII, and XIII). These are some of the non-hemophiliac causes of unusual bleeding.

Acquired Hemophilia is also where the immune system of the body attacks its own Factor VIII. It is not hereditary and usually occurs in adulthood, mainly in elderly or during post pregnancy. "Symptoms may include bruising and bleeding that occurs too easily. Some people experience painful bleeds in joints, which, if not treated, can damage joints," explains the doctor.

What People Must Know About Hemophilia?

Dr Das explains that while it is not a very prevalent disorder, hemophilia is filled with myths and he are the two common myths around the condition that the doctor breaks.

Myth: Hemophilia is just a bleeding disorder

Hemophilia is erroneously considered to be just a bleeding disorder, but it's a complex disorder that affects many aspects of a person's life. Hemophilia patients may experience chronic pain, limited mobility and mental anguish due to recurrent bleeding episodes.

Myth: Hemophilia Is Contagious

Hemophilia has been misperceived by some as an infectious disease, but it is actually inherited. Hemophilia patients are not contagious and must not be treated as pariahs, but equally with respect and dignity like any human being.

How Can It Be Diagnosed? How Can It Be Treated?

Doctor explains that a blood test can show what clotting factor is lacking. Treatment may include providing the missing factor through infusions. With proper treatment, most people with hemophilia can lead a normal, active life.

Treatment of hemophilia for health is much improved now. New treatment is easier and safer. Gene therapy even has the potential to prevent or reduce the necessity for ongoing treatment in some people. Hemophilia children today have improved prospects of becoming healthy and independent adults because there is more awareness and availability of health care.