Every year on this day the world observes World Hearing Day to raise awareness about hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care worldwide. This was first established by the World Health Organization (WHO), as a global event to highlight the importance of early detection, prevention, and also treatment of hearing loss.

WHO's Initiative Towards Safe Hearing

Every year, this day focuses on certain themes to educate people, communities and policymakers about the challenges related to hearing health and the need for accessible hearing care services. This year, ahead of the World Hearing Day, the WHO and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) highlighted the first global standard for safe listening in video game and esport activities. This aimed to reduce the risk of and prevent hearing loss among gamers. As per a 2024 study published in BMJ Public Health, titled, Risk of sound-induced hearing loss from exposure to video gaming or esports: a systematic scoping review, more than 50,000 people exceed the levels of sound during gaming, this raises hearing issues. Gamers also play at high-intensity sound levels and for several hours at a time. As per reports, sound levels ranged from 43.2 decibels (dB) on mobile devices to 80 to 89 dB on gaming centers, while the length of noise exposure varied on mode and frequency. However, for an average, it was 3 hours per week.

ALSO READ: Feeling Lost In A Noisy Crowd? Your Noise-Cancelling Headphones Might Be To Blame

“Everyone can take steps today to ensure good hearing health throughout their life,” said Dr Jérôme Salomon, WHO Assistant Director-General, Universal Health Coverage, Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases. “The WHO/ITU safe listening standard supports governments, manufacturers, civil society, and other stakeholders to foster safe listening environments, so that people of all ages can protect their ears and hearing, and even when playing video games, do not risk hearing loss.”

Safety Standards On Video-gaming and Sound:

The standard recommendation on gaming devices are:

• Sound allowance tracking to measure the player's sound exposure
• Safe listening messages to provide player with the information on sound usage
• A user-friendly volume control to be adjusted easily
• A headphone safety mode that can automatically adjust the volume when a player changes between headphone to loudspeaker

Recommendation for video gameplay software titles:

• To flash safe listening warnings
• Have independent volume control for different sound categories
• Adapting the soundtrack within safe listening features
• A headphone safety mode, where the software is capable of detecting a switch of audio output between headphone and loudspeaker and automatically reduces the volume

Origin

The first time this day was acknowledged was in 2007. Before that, it was known as the International Ear Care Day. In 2016, WHO renamed it as World Hearing Day. Every year, this day focuses on unique theme, this year's theme is on reshaping perception about ears and hearing care, where WHO is also acknowledging the issues gaming can create. This day also encourages people who are exposed to high-intensity sound to get it checked and also to follow through preventive measures to protect their ears from harmful and excessive noise.

August 19 marked a sharp split in U.S. vaccine policy after the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released updated immunization guidelines that call for COVID-19 vaccination in young children. The move breaks from recent federal guidance shaped by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Why the AAP is Standing Apart

The AAP, which represents more than 65,000 board-certified pediatricians, has long been a central authority on children’s health. In June, the organization had already signaled its concern, saying the federal process for creating vaccine schedules was “no longer credible” after Kennedy dismissed the 17-member Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. That panel traditionally guides the CDC’s vaccine recommendations.

Kennedy replaced the group with appointees that many in the medical community consider unqualified, several with ties to anti-vaccine organizations. The May announcement that COVID-19 vaccines would no longer be on the CDC’s recommended list for healthy children and pregnant women further deepened tensions.

“The AAP will continue to provide recommendations that are rooted in science and in the best interest of children and families,” AAP President Dr. Susan J. Kressly said in a statement.

Also Read: CDC No Longer Recommends COVID Vaccine For Kids And Pregnant Women - What Do Experts Think?

What the AAP Recommends for Kids

The updated AAP schedule covers vaccines from birth through age 18, including influenza, RSV, and COVID-19. The pediatric group recommends:

Ages 6 months to 23 months: All children should receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine to lower the risk of severe illness.

Ages 2 to 18: Children and adolescents without other high-risk conditions should be offered the vaccine if not already immunized.

High-risk children and adults: Those with conditions like weakened immune systems should receive the vaccine regardless of age.

The organization stressed that its guidance is based on peer-reviewed evidence, countering federal messaging that leaves vaccination decisions to parental consultation with physicians.

Federal Guidance Under Kennedy

The CDC has not completely eliminated COVID-19 vaccination from its schedule but shifted language in August to a softer stance. Instead of recommending annual doses for children, the agency now advises parents to “consult with their child’s physician” to decide.

Kennedy has said publicly that the vaccine should be reserved for people over 65 or those at high risk. The CDC website still lists recommendations for everyone over six months, but with a notice that the information is being updated to reflect new schedules.

Experts have warned this change may create barriers to access, since insurance coverage often mirrors CDC recommendations. Families who want their children vaccinated but do not fall under the new federal priority categories could be forced to pay out of pocket.

Read More: FDA Approves New Covid Vaccine For Kids With Selective Eligibility

The Growing Clash Between AAP and HHS

The disagreement has sparked sharp exchanges between pediatric leaders and the federal government. HHS Communications Director Andrew Nixon accused the AAP of advancing commercial interests, citing pharmaceutical funding ties.

“By bypassing the CDC’s advisory process and issuing its own recommendations, the AAP is putting politics above children’s health,” Nixon said in a statement.

Kennedy echoed those concerns on social media, calling the pediatric guidance “corporate-friendly” and suggesting it primarily benefits vaccine manufacturers. He also warned that diverging from federal recommendations could leave doctors legally vulnerable, since liability protections under the Vaccine Injury Act apply only to CDC-approved schedules.

AAP President Dr. Kressly rejected those claims. “This attack on the integrity of pediatricians is unfortunate, but it does not change the facts. Our immunization recommendations are rooted in decades of peer-reviewed science,” she said.

What Comes Next

The newly appointed federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has not yet voted on COVID-19 guidance and is expected to meet again in early fall. Meanwhile, the FDA is weighing whether to revoke authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children.

The split leaves parents facing a confusing landscape. While federal authorities have scaled back recommendations, pediatricians say the science still supports protecting children with the COVID-19 shot. As the AAP put it, the mission is clear: to keep kids, families, and communities healthy, regardless of shifting political winds.

Contact Lens Health Week, observed annually in the third week of August, comes to a close today. This year, it ran from August 18 to 22, serving as an important reminder of how crucial eye health is in our daily lives. While it may seem like a niche health observance, the initiative highlights an issue that affects millions worldwide: the proper care and safe use of contact lenses.

Why Eye Health Cannot Be Overlooked

Vision is one of the most vital senses, yet it is often taken for granted. With modern technology, access to corrective options such as glasses, contact lenses, surgeries, and even transplants has made many believe that eyesight will always be easily restorable. But experts emphasize that carelessness with something as simple as contact lenses can lead to lasting damage. Contact lenses sit directly on the eye, and poor hygiene or overuse can compromise vision. This is exactly why Contact Lens Health Week remains significant.

A Brief History of Vision Correction

The journey of improving human sight stretches back centuries. Records suggest that spectacles first appeared in the late 1200s to early 1300s, with Salvino D’Armate often credited as their inventor. Initially, these crude lenses were luxury items reserved for the wealthy. By the time of the industrial revolution, glasses became widely available and affordable, changing lives across classes.

In the early 1800s, scientist Thomas Young built the first prototype of a contact lens, using wax and water-filled lenses. Over the following century and a half, various improvements led to a more practical design. By the 1940s, significant strides had been made in creating lenses suitable for everyday wear. However, it wasn’t until the introduction of soft lenses in the 1970s that contact lenses truly became mainstream.

The Rise of Contact Lenses, and the Risks

Today, millions of people choose between glasses and contact lenses. Contact lenses offer freedom, convenience, and in many cases, improved aesthetics. Yet, their popularity has also led to widespread misuse. Many users overlook the two key rules: sticking to the replacement schedule and respecting the wear schedule. Even the most advanced lenses should not be worn beyond 30 consecutive days and nights. Ignoring this can reduce oxygen flow to the eyes, cause infections, and in severe cases, lead to vision loss.

Why Contact Lens Health Week Matters

The week serves as a call to action for everyone who relies on contact lenses. It emphasizes the need for proper cleaning, regular replacement, and awareness of risks linked to negligence. Simple practices, like washing hands before touching lenses, never reusing solution, and removing lenses before sleeping, can prevent long-term harm.

Milestones in Contact Lens Development

1508: Leonardo da Vinci illustrates the first concept of contact lenses.

1939: Plastic technology enables the creation of the first plastic contact lenses.

1971: Soft contact lenses gain public approval for comfort.

1987: Disposable soft contact lenses are introduced, making them more accessible.

Serena Williams is sharing a new chapter in her wellness journey.

The tennis icon, 43, revealed that she turned to a GLP-1 medication to support her weight-loss goals, a decision that helped her shed more than 31 pounds and, in her words, “feel light physically and light mentally.” She told to PEOPLE.

“I feel great,” Williams told PEOPLE. “I feel really good and healthy. I feel light physically and light mentally.”

Postpartum Struggles with Weight

Williams explained that her weight struggles began after giving birth to her first daughter, Alexis Olympia, in 2017. Despite maintaining the disciplined lifestyle of a professional athlete, her body responded differently after pregnancy.

“I never was able to get to the weight I needed to be no matter what I did, no matter how much I trained,” she said. “It was crazy because I'd never been in a place like that in my life where I worked so hard, ate so healthy and could never get down to where I needed to be at.”

READ: US Doctor Claims Weight Loss Drug, GLP-1, Leads To Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors

The 23-time Grand Slam champion admitted the experience was frustrating because she had always relied on her work ethic. “I had never taken shortcuts in my career and always worked really hard. I know what it takes to be the best,” she told PEOPLE. “So it was very frustrating to do all the same things and never be able to change that number on the scale or the way my body looked.”

After welcoming her second daughter, Adira River, in August 2023, Williams faced a similar challenge. She lost some weight in the first two weeks postpartum, but the progress quickly plateaued. “I never lost another pound,” she recalled.

Turning to GLP-1 for Support

Realizing that even her most disciplined training routine was not giving her the results she wanted, Williams decided to explore new options. That’s when she partnered with Ro, a direct-to-patient healthcare company, to begin GLP-1 treatment.

READ: How Weight Loss Drugs Change Ones Relationship With Food?

What Is GLP-1?

GLP-1 is short for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. It is a class of medications that works in the brain to regulate appetite and satiety. Well-known brands include Ozempic and Mounjaro, both of which have generated global discussion about their effectiveness in weight management.

READ: This Naturally Occurring Molecule May Have Ozempic-like Benefits Without The Side Effects

Williams acknowledged that she was initially hesitant. “I did a lot of research on it,” she told PEOPLE. “I was like, ‘Is this a shortcut? What are the benefits? What are not the benefits?’ I really wanted to dive into it before I just did it.”

After six months, when she had stopped breastfeeding Adira, she began weekly injections with her doctor’s guidance. “They were super supportive and it was easy to get the medication,” she said. “I lost over 31 pounds using my GLP-1 and I was really excited about that weight loss.”

Now serving as a celebrity patient ambassador for Ro, Williams emphasizes that the treatment didn’t replace her active lifestyle, it enhanced it.

Feeling Stronger and More Energetic

Williams said her transformation has been about much more than the number on the scale. She’s regained energy, movement, and a sense of ease in her daily life.

“I just can do more. I'm more active. My joints don't hurt as much,” she explained. “I just feel like something as simple as just getting down is a lot easier for me. And I do it a lot faster. I feel like I have a lot of energy and it's great. I just feel pretty good about it.”

Her renewed energy has also inspired her to set new goals, including training for a half marathon.

READ: GLP-1 Drugs Could Be Used To Treat Chronic Kidney Disease

Why Serena Shared Her Story

Throughout her career, Williams has been admired for her transparency, whether on the tennis court or in her personal life. She told PEOPLE that she wanted to share her GLP-1 journey because she knows many people struggle with the same issues, regardless of their dedication to healthy living.

“GLP-1 helped me enhance everything that I was already doing, eating healthy and working out, whether it was as a professional athlete at the top level of tennis or just going to the gym every day,” she said. “So I think that it’s important for everyone to hear my story. And I feel like there's a lot of people that can relate.”

READ: Foods That Mimic Ozempic Results: Natural GLP-1 Boosters That Control Appetite

Balancing Weight Loss with Self-Love

While she is proud of her progress, Williams is equally clear that her confidence and self-worth were never tied to her weight.

READ: Trust Your Instincts, Serena Williams Urges Women To Listen To Their Bodies

“Weight loss should never really change your self image,” she said. “Women often experience judgment about their bodies at any size, and I'm no stranger to that. So I feel like you should love yourself at any size and any look.”

She added that while her heavier weight caused her some physical discomfort, including joint pain, there was nothing inherently wrong with it. “The size I was before, there was nothing wrong with it. It's just not what I wanted to have,” she said. “I just knew that I wanted to be where I personally felt comfortable.”

Teaching Her Daughters About Confidence

Williams, who shares her daughters with husband Alexis Ohanian, said she has made it a priority to talk about body image and positivity at home.

“With me going through what I've went through growing up in public and just having millions of people commenting on my body, it's really important to teach them to be confident at any size, just like I try to be,” she said.

She hopes to pass down a lesson she has learned from looking back at old photographs. “Whether I was smaller or thicker, at that moment I felt so confident. And I looked great, too. So I just think it's so important to love who you are. You'll never get that moment back. You don't want to judge yourself when you're just always showing up as your best.”

Her message is simple: health and confidence go hand in hand. “I always felt comfortable at any size,” she reflected. “But now I feel like my body is thanking me for being at a place where I can move easier, feel lighter, and do more.”