A report by Swachh Bharat Mission says that 74.5 per cent of public places are equipped with toilets. Another report by the Ministry of Jal Shakti states that there are 2.23 lakh Community Sanitary Complexes built across all States and UTs under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) since October 2014. Over 92 lakh toilets have been constructed since the launch of SBM Gramin (SBM (G)) in April 2020.

While toilets are there, are they accessible? This is the question one should ask. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) focuses on 131 health indicators, but not until the NFHS 5 survey did they include the question of accessibility of toilets in the survey. This happened after the inputs from the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare questioned the accessibility.

One might ask, why is the question of accessibility so important? The answer is quite simple. Access to water, sanitation and hygiene is the most basic human need and is also included under the Sustainable Development Goals by the UN.

Are These Numbers Real?

This thought crossed my mind because back in 2021, I went on a solo trip, on a bus to Udaipur from Delhi. There, the bus made two stoppages. This was done so people could get a quick dinner and freshen up, relieve themselves and be prepared for the rest of the journey. This was a nightmare. The bus only stopped for 10 minutes. While some men used the washroom, others went to the bushes.

For the women, there were three cubicles. One of them was broken, and the other one did not have a light bulb, which meant only one was usable. There was a long queue for that cubicle, and time was short. There was no point in trying to find an isolated corner, because it was past midnight, in an unknown area.

I waited anxiously. When finally, my turn came, I saw an overused, dirty washroom. The toilet seat is in a horrible condition. I wanted to touch nothing there. But I had to pee. So, I used my mask to cover my nose from the odour, folded my pants so they did not touch the floor and squatted. It was quite a task to balance.

On my way back to Delhi, I made sure to not drink any water for over a 13-hour bus journey. I dehydrated myself so I did not have to use the washroom. When I did reach, I was severely dehydrated and was sick for three days.

I shared my experience with my friends only to realise that many women have faced the same. There are no washrooms for women.

A friend of mine told me that it is because these roads and dhabas are mainly designed to serve men. They are the ones who travel at night or are on the roads most of the time. As a result, the few women who do travel or are on the road suffer.

Health Risks Women Are Prone To

Well, it is true, but partially. While holding your pee for too long can lead to health risks, peeing on a dirty toilet seat cannot lead to infections unless your urethra is in contact with the bacteria present on that toilet seat. However, nobody wants to sit on a dirty toilet seat, even if you do not get an infection. A safe and hygienic toilet is a basic need.

One of the regular saleswomen, Usha, who visits my house shared her experience with me. “Being on the road constantly means I must use the dirty public washrooms. But I do not want to use them. So, sometimes I ask my regular customers to let me use their washrooms. Some say yes, and some say no. I understand they are also concerned about their safety and privacy,” she says. As a result, Usha spends most of her day not drinking enough water and holding her pee when she is at work. Due to this, she also suffered from a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).

Her friend, Halima too faced similar problems and due to increased levels of uric acid in her body, she suffered from Hyperuricemia.

Other health risks are kidney stones and other kidney problems, headaches, dull skin, xerostomia or dry mouth, fatigue, and urinary incontinence, which means losing control over your pelvic floor muscles leading to uncontrolled leakage of urine, seizures and weakness.

What Can You Do?

Wear comfortable clothes and capris. Capri pants are comfortable and are short in length, which means this won’t touch the toilet floor when you squat or sit.

Carry Essentials

Even though you cannot get a UTI alone from sitting on a toilet seat, it is always safe to carry a toilet seat sanitiser. If nothing, it can help you get rid of the bad odour so you can use your stand and pee device inside the toilet. You can also use disposable toilet seat covers if your knees are weak, and you cannot squat. Always flush with your seat down.

Always keep disposable gloves, a portable bidet (fill it with water before use), a pocket liquid handwash, wet wipes, tissues and sanitiser handy. Do not forget to keep extra sanitary pads. It might sound a lot, but I promise that it all fits in one pouch. Use this travel-friendly pouch every time you are on the road, or using a public washroom.

What Can We Learn From Others?

However, in case we do not get these technologically advanced toilets here, you can always pack a travel-friendly toilet kit!

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), including semaglutide widely used to improve diabetes control and promote weight loss, may also reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, according to a new study.

The study found that the effect was particularly notable among people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as well as those with both IBD and type 2 diabetes. Both conditions are associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer due to chronic inflammation and metabolic changes that may promote tumor development.

"GLP-1 RA use was associated with a significantly reduced incidence of colorectal cancer in all patients with IBD, as well as the subpopulation with both IBD and type 2 diabetes," said lead author Sarina Ailawadi of Case Western Reserve University, US.

"Given the elevated colorectal cancer risk in IBD, these findings suggest a potential protective effect of GLP-1 RA use in this high-risk population. Prospective studies will be important to further analyze and confirm this potential benefit," she added.

The findings will be presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Breakthrough meeting, scheduled for June 25–27 in Singapore.

Also read: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Launches Reforms To Speed Up Early Drug Research In US

How Was The Study Conducted?

This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 69,221 people in the US, including GLP-1 RA users and non-users.

Researchers also identified 209,649 people with both IBD and type 2 diabetes, including 38,567 who had taken a GLP-1 RA.

After matching users and non-users for various characteristics, data from 37,740 patients were analyzed. The GLP-1 RA group included people taking semaglutide, dulaglutide, tirzepatide, exenatide, liraglutide, or lixisenatide.

The researchers compared the five-year incidence of colorectal cancer between GLP-1 RA users and non-users.

Among people with IBD, the five-year incidence of colorectal cancer was 0.2% in GLP-1 RA users compared with 0.42% in non-users. The odds ratio was 0.49, indicating a 51% lower likelihood of developing colorectal cancer among GLP-1 RA users.

Among patients with both IBD and type 2 diabetes, the five-year incidence of colorectal cancer was 0.31% in GLP-1 RA users and 0.57% in non-users. The odds ratio was 0.54, suggesting a 46% lower likelihood of developing colorectal cancer.

The researchers noted that prospective studies are needed to confirm the potential protective effect of GLP-1 RAs on colorectal cancer risk.

Do IBD and Type 2 Diabetes Increase Colorectal Cancer Risk?

Read More: Natural Origin or Lab Leak? Gabbard Reignites COVID Origins Debate, Claims Fauci Funded Wuhan Lab Research

Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer, likely because of chronic inflammation in the intestines. People with IBD are estimated to be six times more likely to develop colorectal cancer than those without the condition.

Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, also increases colorectal cancer risk and is becoming more common among people with IBD. Scientists believe that individuals with both conditions may face an especially high risk because of the combined effects of chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.

What Are GLP-1 Receptor Agonists?

GLP-1 receptor agonists are a class of drugs that help lower blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, many are now widely used for weight management.

These medications mimic the action of the GLP-1 hormone by stimulating insulin release, slowing digestion, and increasing feelings of fullness.

Beyond blood sugar control and weight loss, GLP-1 RAs have been linked to several health benefits, including lower blood pressure and reduced cardiovascular risk. Previous studies have also suggested that they may lower the risk of colorectal cancer and other obesity-related cancers.

However, their specific impact on colorectal cancer risk among people with IBD has remained unclear until now.

A new study involving more than 13,000 parents suggests that parents who have sons may experience faster cognitive decline in later life compared to parents who only have daughters. While the findings may sound surprising, researchers stress that the results are linked to long-term caregiving and social support—not biology.

The research, published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, explored how family composition might affect cognitive health as people grow older.

What Did The Study Find?

Researchers from Columbia University and Charles University analyzed data from 13,222 adults aged 50 and above who participated in the US Health and Retirement Study.

The team discovered several important patterns:

Parents with at least one son showed a faster rate of cognitive decline than parents who had only daughters.

The association was observed in both mothers and fathers, suggesting the effect is driven by social and caregiving factors rather than biological differences.

Parents with multiple sons experienced an even steeper decline in cognitive function over time compared to parents whose children were all daughters.

The researchers concluded that having sons was associated with a faster decline in memory and thinking abilities during older adulthood.

Why Might Daughters Make A Difference?

The researchers believe the explanation lies in family dynamics rather than genetics.

Previous studies have consistently shown that daughters are more likely to provide emotional support, regular communication, and hands-on caregiving as their parents age. This ongoing engagement may help keep parents mentally active and socially connected—two factors that are strongly associated with healthier brain aging.

Experts often refer to this as the "daughter effect." Strong emotional bonds and frequent social interactions are known to protect cognitive function and may reduce the risk of age-related mental decline.

How Was Cognitive Health Measured?

Participants' cognitive abilities were evaluated every two years using several standard mental performance tests, including:

• Immediate and delayed word recall tests
• Serial subtraction exercises
• Backward counting tasks

These assessments allowed researchers to track changes in memory, attention, and problem-solving skills over several years.

Even after adjusting for factors such as age, education, health status, and socioeconomic background, the relationship between having sons and faster cognitive decline remained significant.

Previous Research Supports Similar Findings:

The study also builds on earlier research that linked having more sons with poorer long-term maternal health outcomes, including an increased risk of dementia.

By examining both mothers and fathers, the new research suggests the relationship extends beyond pregnancy-related biological factors and is more likely connected to differences in caregiving and emotional support provided by adult children.

Also Read: UK Met Office Warns of 'Pollen Bomb': What Hay Fever Patients Need to Know

What Does This Mean For Families?

The findings should not be interpreted as a reason to worry about having sons. Instead, they highlight the importance of maintaining strong family relationships, staying socially active, and ensuring older adults receive emotional and practical support regardless of their children's gender.

Researchers say that healthy aging depends on many interconnected factors, and supportive relationships can play an important role in preserving cognitive function over time.

The study suggests that parents with sons may experience faster cognitive decline than parents with only daughters, with the effect becoming stronger as the number of sons increases. However, experts caution that family composition is just one small piece of the puzzle. Healthy lifestyle habits, social connections, education, and quality caregiving remain the most important factors for maintaining brain health throughout aging.

Pop singer Madonna has opened up about knee damage caused by years of dancing in high heels.

The 67-year-old superstar said running and Ashtanga yoga also added stress to her joints, leaving her with “no cartilage” in her knee, according to Interview Magazine.

“I have a bad knee now. I have no cartilage in it, thanks to dancing for so long in high heels and running on pavement and doing Ashtanga yoga,” Madonna told the magazine.

“Up until a year ago, I was jumping on trampolines and doing dance cardio and doing a lot of what a doctor would call loading on my joints. Can’t do that anymore,” she added.

Madonna said she still works out regularly while listening to her new album Confessions II, but has had to modify her fitness routine to accommodate the injury.

The Queen of Pop said she now focuses on “Peloton bikes and the Versa Climber and high-intensity circuit training. I ride my bike outside a lot. I dance.”

Madonna has previously been open about her knee injury and its impact on her career. In October 2019, she postponed a scheduled Madame X show in Brooklyn, New York.

“It's Hard for Madame to admit that she is also a human being made of flesh and blood and she must rest for the next 3 days to insure full recovery for her knee,” she wrote on Instagram.

“I am not a quitter. This hurts me more than you can imagine. It's time to take those heels and fishnets off for a few days!”

Also read: Marketa Vondrousova Banned For 4 Years From Tennis: How Doping Tests Work

Can High Heels Affect Knee Health?

Knee osteoarthritis (OA), a leading cause of disability, is more prevalent in women than men. Wearing high-heeled shoes has been implicated as a potential contributing factor to the higher lifetime risk of osteoarthritis in women.

Several studies have examined the relationship between high heels and knee health. Motion analysis studies have shown changes in knee alignment while walking in heels, changes that researchers have suggested may resemble patterns seen in ageing and knee osteoarthritis progression.

Read More: UK Met Office Warns of 'Pollen Bomb': What Hay Fever Patients Need to Know

A 2025 study published in The Knee by researchers from the Singapore Institute of Technology found that wearing 8-cm high-heeled shoes significantly reduced the lateral joint space width of the knee in healthy young women during standing, suggesting increased lateral knee joint stress.

The findings suggest that high heels may specifically affect the lateral compartment of the knee, potentially contributing to increased joint stress during standing.

Wearing heels for long periods can increase the load on the knees. They alter posture and walking patterns, placing additional pressure on the knee joint. Over time, this may strain the ligaments and muscles surrounding the knee, leading to pain, stiffness, and long-term damage.

In 2025, the Nicki Minaj Challenge, inspired by the rapper's 2013 song High School, gained traction on social media. The challenge, which involved balancing in high heels, reportedly resulted in injuries including fractures and, in some cases, deaths.