The international public health community was hopeful that polio—the crippling viral illness that previously paralyzed hundreds of thousands of children every year—was almost extinct. But in a concerning twist in 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the alarm- polio is back, and eradication hangs in the balance.

In 2020, the world celebrated a milestone—polio was officially eradicated everywhere except two nations. But in the first quarter of 2025, an old nemesis has reappeared. Cases of wild poliovirus are again increasing in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the final two bastions of endemic transmission. Pakistan, which had reported 74 cases in 2024, has already seen 6 new cases this year. Afghanistan is not far behind with 1 reported case.

While the numbers are small in themselves, they portend a worrisome trend in a decades-long fight. Global health professionals point to interruptions of vaccine campaigns—interruptions they say are directly caused by deep reductions in international assistance.

One major factor behind this upsurge is the abrupt interruption of funding support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID has long been a pillar of support for vaccination activities in polio-endemic and high-risk areas by financing personnel, logistics, vaccine sourcing, and outreach.

A private memo by Nicholas Enrich, USAID acting assistant administrator for global health, cautions that if these pauses in funding continue, we will witness another 200,000 cases of polio paralysis each year, and hundreds of millions more are at risk of being infected. The International Rescue Committee (IRC), which was carrying out polio vaccinations under the watch of the Ministry of Health and World Vision in Kenya, says its USAID-funded program was the initial one to close on January 31st.

"Right now, IRC support for polio immunization in Kenya's hard-to-reach areas has come to a halt," confirms Mohamed El Montassir Hussein, Kenya's IRC country director. Although local health officials are still immunizing, their efforts are strained without foreign funding.

Why Does Wild Polio Persist in Just Two Countries?

Pakistan and Afghanistan are the exceptions to an otherwise polio-free world. Several chronic challenges, according to experts, include unstable security environments, misinformation, religious and political opposition to vaccination, and weak health infrastructures. Additionally, vaccination teams working in war zones frequently encounter logistical challenges and safety threats.

The virus has been extremely resilient. It takes advantage of holes in immunity caused by lack of vaccinations. Adding to the problem is the presence of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV)—an uncommon event whereby the attenuated virus contained within oral polio vaccines changes and becomes virulent again.

WHO Flags High-Risk Nations and Rising Global Concern

The WHO has listed five countries with the immediate risk of the international spread of polio:

• Afghanistan
• Pakistan
• Mozambique
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Guinea

Furthermore, 35 nations have recorded imported cases of cVDPV type 2, while 10 countries continue to experience active circulation of wild-type or vaccine-derived poliovirus in the last 24 months. WHO's guidelines are:

• Improved vaccine coverage
• Increased access to healthcare in risk areas
• Travel restrictions for unvaccinated travelers from high-risk areas

But with more than $200 million in donor funding lost— including life-saving funds from the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)—these guidelines encounter tremendous implementation challenges.

Hidden Cost of Underfunding Global Health

It is the invisible spread that makes the situation more threatening. Those countries with weak surveillance systems may not see early outbreaks until it becomes too late. In politically unstable or humanitarian crisis-affected areas, the virus can spread quietly among unvaccinated groups, only to spill over borders.

Polio flourishes in these crevices—between the unvaccinated, the untracked, and the neglected. And once it establishes itself, retaking control is that much harder and costly.

Although the numbers as they stand are alarming, they also create an opportunity for recommitment on a global scale. Global polio eradication has always been a collective endeavor. Today, more than ever, a concerted effort is needed.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reacted with strong concern over the diminishing U.S. support and asserted the urgency for international collaboration. "The precipitous cuts to U.S. funding also affect efforts to stop polio for good," he cautioned.

Relaunching public confidence in vaccines, maintaining secure access during times of conflict, reinstating funds channels, and reinforcing surveillance form part of the arsenal necessary to complete the mission against polio.

The resurgence of polio in 2025 is a wake-up call. It reminds the world that public health victories, no matter how close, can unravel quickly without consistent investment and collaboration.

Eradiating polio was never a matter of one country or one continent. It was about a shared global commitment. If the trend continues, we will risk wasting decades of progress—and allowing a preventable disease to reassert its hold on the world's most vulnerable.

Infertility impacts millions across the globe, touching both men and women alike. According to the World Health Organization, around 17.5% of the global population, roughly one in six people, experience fertility challenges. This condition can significantly reduce or even prevent natural conception.

Yet, despite its prevalence, infertility remains clouded by myths and misconceptions, many of which unfairly place the blame solely on women. Seeking to debunk these long-held beliefs, Dr. Holly Miller, an American Board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, took to Instagram to share three important truths every woman should know about fertility.

3 Truths About Fertility Women Should Know

With the help of modern medicine and medical interventions like IVF, fertility treatment can help people boost their chances of reproducing.

Infertility Isn't Just a Woman's Issue

It’s important to understand that infertility affects both partners — it’s not solely a woman’s issue. Blaming only the woman is both unfair and inaccurate. In fact, experts find that the causes of infertility are almost evenly split between men and women.

Roughly one-third of infertility cases are linked to the woman, another third to the man, and the remaining third result from issues affecting both partners — or from causes that doctors are unable to clearly identify.

To identify the cause of infertility, both partners should undergo testing simultaneously. For men, a semen analysis — a quick and straightforward test — is often the easiest and most informative first step.

The "Wait One Year" Rule Changes with Age

Most couples automatically try to conceive for a full 12 months before they think about seeing a fertility doctor. However, the doctor emphasizes that the woman's age is the single most important factor that affects the chances of successful treatment.

If you are under 35 years old: You can safely try for a full 12 months of regular, unprotected sex before seeking a specialist.

If you are 35 or older: You should contact a specialist after only 6 months of trying without success.

If you are 40 or older: You need to see a specialist right away—as quickly as you possibly can.

The doctor explains that after age 35, the woman's egg supply starts to decline more quickly. Time is essential, so couples should strongly ask their doctors for an early referral.

"Unexplained Infertility" Often Means "Undiagnosed Problem"

When a couple is diagnosed with "unexplained infertility," which happens in about 10% to 20% of cases, it means the basic first tests did not find a clear reason. This can be upsetting, but it does not mean you can never have children. In the doctor's experience, the term "unexplained" often means there are hidden problems, such as:

• Small issues with the male partner's sperm that were missed by the basic tests.
• A hidden condition called Endometriosis, which can only be confirmed by a surgical procedure.
• Not having sexual intercourse at the best time or not often enough.

In today's corporate world, desk jobs have become the order of the day and so are the health problems associated with them. Endless typing, long hours of sitting, and poor posture are silently taking their toll on young professionals who spend most of their day glued to screens. Many don't realize that their daily work habits could trigger unexpected medical conditions.

Such a growing concern was once highlighted by Hyderabad-based neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, who recently shared a case on X. He wrote about one such case of Riya (name changed), a 25-year-old software engineer who developed a sharp, burning pain in her elbow-a pain which began as a minor ache while typing and gradually became so severe that even lifting a teacup felt unbearable.

What was the cause of the sharp elbow pain that Riya experienced?

Riya tried everything she could think of: Rest, pain relief balms, painkillers, even switching hands while using her computer, but the pain refused to fade. When she finally decided to visit the doctor, her symptoms immediately pointed to something unexpected: Tennis elbow. The diagnosis came as a surprise, considering she had never even held a tennis racket. On examination, Dr Sudhir Kumar found the tell-tale signs of the condition, medically known as lateral epicondylitis — tenderness along the outer elbow and pain when she tried to extend her wrist. He explained that the culprit wasn’t a sport, but repetitive strain from long hours at the computer — a problem increasingly common among desk workers.

What is Tennis Elbow?

The Mayo Clinic describes tennis elbow, medically termed lateral epicondylitis, as a painful condition resulting from the overuse of muscles and tendons in the forearm. It develops where these tissues are repeatedly strained by similar wrist and arm movements, leading to tiny tears and inflammation near the elbow.

The name is misleading, and you don't have to be an athlete to get tennis elbow. As a matter of fact, most people who develop it never have used a racket. It's common for the condition to strike people in jobs that require repetitive motions: plumbers, carpenters, painters, butchers, and yes, office workers who spend hours typing or using a mouse.

The pain generally arises on the outside of the elbow, precisely at that bony prominence to which the muscles of the forearm attach. For some, the discomfort may extend into the forearm or even the wrist, making most activities quite arduous.

How Can Tennis Elbow Be Treated?

Once the diagnosis was confirmed, Dr Sudhir Kumar focused on addressing the underlying cause — repetitive stress and poor workstation ergonomics. The holistic treatment for Riya included the following:

• Avoided repetitive activities that triggered her pain.
• Adjusting the computer setup and improving posture.
• Establish a physiotherapy regimen to stretch, strengthen, and gradually build muscle endurance.
• A short course of anti-inflammatory medication

Employing a counterforce brace-a tennis elbow strap-to reduce strain in daily activities. By her six-week follow-up, Riya’s pain had completely resolved. Her grip strength was back, and she could type, lift, and exercise without discomfort. Three months later, she was symptom-free — and far more aware of how small ergonomic changes can make a big difference.

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths, however, a recent survey showed that most people don’t know this vital fact about prostate cancer symptoms.

Prostate cancer is a serious illness in the US, affecting over 300,000 men each year and causing more than 35,000 deaths, according American Cancer Society. This makes it the second-most deadly cancer for men. If doctors detect the disease early, it is treatable. However, patients usually don't notice any signs of the disease in its beginning stages. Due to this lack of symptoms, checking for the disease is extremely important.

A recent survey of 1,004 U.S. adults, commissioned by the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, aimed to gauge public knowledge of the disease. The findings highlight a critical need for better education.

What Do Americans Know About Early-Stage Prostate Cancer?

The results showed that most people, 80% of those surveyed, are unaware that early prostate cancer usually has no physical symptoms. One health specialist noted that it's crucial for everyone to understand that this cancer causes no symptoms until it has become advanced. The survey also revealed other gaps in knowledge:

• More than half of the people surveyed (59%) did not know that changes in sexual function could be a sign of prostate cancer.
• The survey noticed some differences across groups. For example, one minority group was better at identifying less common signs like tiredness and weight loss.
• However, that same minority group was less likely than others to correctly identify that the cancer usually has no symptoms in its early stage.

What Is The Best Way To Diagnose Prostate Cancer?

The fact that prostate cancer often begins without symptoms is the main reason doctors worry.

Lack of Symptoms

In its early phase, the cancer is small and contained within the prostate gland. It doesn't push on or block any other body parts, so it doesn't cause pain or discomfort. Because the cancer is deep inside the body, it's hard to tell if someone has it without special tests.

Provider Worry

Because men feel fine, they may wrongly believe they aren't at risk. This feeling of being safe often makes men hesitant to get screened. Since there are no symptoms to look for, screening tests, usually a simple blood test or a physical exam, are the best way to find the cancer early.

What Are Some Signs of Prostate Cancer?

Even though most men with early prostate cancer feel completely normal, there are certain signs that might appear if the disease is more advanced. These symptoms include:

• Having trouble starting to urinate.
• Having a urine flow that is weak or stops and starts.
• Needing to urinate often, especially during the night.
• Difficulty completely emptying the bladder.
• Feeling pain or a burning sensation while urinating.
• Noticing blood in the urine or semen.
• Feeling pain in the back, hips, or pelvis that doesn't go away.
• Experiencing pain during ejaculation.

When Should You Get Screened For Prostate Cancer?

According to American Cancer Society, health organizations advise men to talk with their doctors about getting checked for prostate cancer starting at certain ages, depending on their personal risk.

Average Risk: Age 50

Men who have no special risk factors.

High Risk: Age 45

Men who are African American or who have a father or brother who was diagnosed before age 65.

Highest Risk: Age 40

Men who have more than one close relative (father or brother) diagnosed at an early age. There is no one-size-fits-all advice for screening. Men should always speak to their doctor about their own risk and discuss the pros and cons of testing. Since there are no early warning signs, talking to a doctor about screening is described as "critical" and a simple process that could potentially save a man's life.