Earthquakes<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The two earthquakes measuring Mw 7.7 and 7.6 that struck Kahramanmara\u015f at 4:17 a.m. and 3:24 p.m. on 6 February were the two most impactful events of 2023 in T\u00fcrkiye. These earthquakes and their aftershocks left 50,783 dead, 107,204 injured, and 301 thousand buildings either destroyed or damaged. The 2023 Parliamentary Investigation Commission Report submitted to the Grand National Assembly of T\u00fcrkiye estimated the total damage to be 148.8 billion USD, corresponding to %9 of T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s GDP for 2023. The first of these two earthquakes was the most powerful to strike Anatolia since the 1668 North Anatolia earthquake and the strongest in the history of the Turkish Republic. Then, a mere two weeks later, two more earthquakes of Mw 6.4 and 5.8 struck Hatay\u2019s districts of Defne and Samanda\u011f on 20 February, leaving 6 people dead and another 562 injured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Floods <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n T\u00fcrkiye experienced a total of 8,279 weather- and climate-related natural disasters between 2010 and 2021. The most prevalent of these were storms, accounting for 2,645 incidents, followed by severe rainfall and floods with 2,486 incidents. Given T\u00fcrkiye topographical conditions, floods continue to pose a significant public health risk to the country\u2019s inhabitants. For instance, the 2023 Turkish floods of 15 March resulted in 17 deaths in \u015eanl\u0131urfa and 4 in Ad\u0131yaman while an additional 3,154 individuals suffered damage to their residences, businesses, vehicles, and personal belongings. Several months later during the initial days of Cyclone Daniel in September 2023, flood claimed the lives of 6 people in K\u0131rklareli and 2 in Istanbul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wildfires<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry reported that 1,022 wildfires occurred in the first seven months of 2023, resulting in 6,900 hectares of damaged land. Of this area, 5,800 hectares were destroyed in just 18 wildfires, 17 of which occurred in July. More recently, the 26 October wildfire in Kastamonu\u2019s Tosya district left 47 homes uninhabitable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Global Warming and Climate Change<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Surpassing the previous record set in 2016 for hottest eleven-month average temperature by 0.13\u00b0C, 2023 found itself as hottest calendar year on record. The EU\u2019s Copernicus Climate Change Service announced that November 2023 had set a global record for the hottest November ever recorded, with an average surface air temperature for the month at 14.22\u00b0C, which exceeded the 1991\u20132020 temperature average by 0.85\u00b0C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to data from the Turkish State Meteorological Service, T\u00fcrkiye experienced its warmest December in the past fifty-three years in 2023. The lowest temperature, \u221221.3\u00b0C, was observed in Van, while the highest was recorded in Sinop at 27.4\u00b0C. The average nationwide temperature for December rose 3.5\u00b0C, increasing from 4.8\u00b0C between 1991 and 2020 to 8.3\u00b0C in December 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n October\u2013December 2023, Israel\u2019s War on <\/em>Gaza<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Since 7 October, Israel has subjected Palestine\u2019s Gaza Strip to an incessant carpet bombing campaign that has killed at least 37,765 people, injured or maimed at least 86,429, and trapped countless others under the rubble of destroyed buildings, many of whom are presumed dead. On 13 October, T\u00fcrkiye sent eight cargo planes full of medication, medical consumables, medical equipment, and generators. Then, after receiving the necessary permissions, fifty-one containers full medical supplies and emergency generators, along with twenty fully equipped ambulances, departed from Izmir\u2019s Port of Alsancak on 10 November on a cargo ship bound for Occupied Palestine. Gaza\u2019s sole hospital specialized in treating cancer, the Turkish\u2013Palestinian Friendship Hospital, itself built by T\u00fcrkiye, was hit during an Israeli airstrike. The hospital has since been illegally seized by the Israeli army and used as a military base during its continued attack on the civilian population of Gaza. With the hospital no longer able to provide lifesaving services, the Turkish government began transporting cancer patients to T\u00fcrkiye for continued treatment. In addition to the Syrian Civil War, the Russo-Ukrainian War, and the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, all of which have affected T\u00fcrkiye in terms of food supply, communicable diseases, and migration, Israel\u2019s war on Gaza is a particularly precarious situation with the potential to embroil the wider region in instability and unrest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Communicable Diseases<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n New Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Statistics published by T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s Ministry of Health reveal that 102,174 people died from COVID-19 related complications as of March 2023, after which month no new data was published. A total of 43,801 new cases and 231 deaths were reported in January, 15,811 new cases and 95 deaths in February, and 31,054 new cases and 85 deaths in March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Influenza<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on global health and social life from 2020 to 2021. Measures like mask-wearing, physical distancing, enhanced hygiene practices, improved ventilation, and reduced social mobility implemented during the pandemic also contributed to a decline in influenza cases. As these measures were relaxed, however, influenza cases began to increase globally. Outpatients complaining of flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, coughing, and respiratory distress) to their family physicians tested positively for influenza at increasing rates beginning in October and peaking in December. This trend is expected to decrease gradually from January to April 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Figure 1 Outpatients Testing Positive for Influenza at Family Clinics<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n HIV\/AIDS<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The rise in HIV positivity poses a critical challenge in effective infectious disease management in T\u00fcrkiye. From 1985 until 8 November 2023, 39,437 HIV-positive cases and 2,295 AIDS cases were confirmed through HIV screening. Of these cases, 81.5 percent were men, 18.5 percent were women, and 16.1 percent were foreign nationals of either gender. A total of 1,728 new cases were reported between 1 January 2023 and 8 November 2023, including 1,677 HIV-positive and 51 AIDS cases. Among these, 84.2 percent were male, 15.6 percent were female, and 11.6 percent were foreign nationals of either gender. Individuals aged 25 to 29 exhibited the highest number of positive cases. An upward trend in HIV-positive cases has been observed in the last decade, rising from 3,220 in 2016 to 5,591 in 2022. Public awareness campaigns, public service announcements, community health education, and efforts to enhance health literacy are needed to reverse this trend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Accidents and Injuries <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Traffic Accidents<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s Traffic Statistics Bulletin for December 2023 reported a total of 555,668 accidents over the year, resulting in 2,984 fatalities and 354,323 injuries. Drivers were found to be at fault in 249,776 incidents, pedestrians in 25,340 incidents, vehicle issues in 3,148 incidents, road conditions in 940 incidents, and passengers in 1,754 incidents. While running red lights resulted in 7,030 fatal or injury-causing accidents, alcohol use was found to be a factor in 1,712. Excessive speed resulted in 2,208 accidents and illegal parking in 1,247. Official accident figures show that traffic accidents caused 167 deaths in Ankara, ninety-seven in Bursa, 157 in Istanbul, and 125 in Izmir. Though mostly preventable, traffic accidents continued to be a leading cause of death and disability among adolescents and young adults in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Addiction Prevention and Intervention Efforts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n An integral partner in the fight against addiction, T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s Green Crescent significantly expanded its efforts in 2023. The inauguration of two new Green Crescent Consultancy Centers this year brought the total number of centers to 107, ensuring nationwide accessibility to their services across all provinces. Additionally, two 40 bed rehabilitation centers were opened in the provinces of Bursa and Diyarbak\u0131r. The Green Crescent organized numerous educational workshops, events, and competitions throughout 2023 as part of its efforts to prevent addiction in T\u00fcrkiye. Among these was the T\u00fcrkiye Addiction Prevention Program, in which 14 million students and 3 million adults received education on addiction prevention. Another was the Intervention to Addiction at School Training Program, the Green Crescent, which provided assistance to 6,380 students who either had used or were currently using tobacco, alcohol, or narcotics. These programs effectively supported students in completely quitting or reducing their use of addictive substances. Under the Green Crescent Life Skills Training Program, 264 facilitators were trained to lead workshops teaching students how to refuse addictive substances, make effective decisions without succumbing to peer pressure, and manage their emotions. A total 115 thousand students participated in these workshops over the course of this program. Additionally, 110 nationwide sports clubs ran programs to promote healthy lifestyles among young people and to deter them from using addictive substances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n New Developments<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Family Dentistry<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018The Community \u201cFamily Dentistry\u201d application was launched as a pilot program in Eski\u015fehir, Karab\u00fck and K\u0131r\u015fehir provinces in 2022 and is expected to be widespread in 20 provinces in 2024. In this context, it aims to prevent and control tooth decay and risk factors before health problems arise. As a result of the application, approximately 10,000 children were reached in 42 family dentistry units. It is aimed to gradually implement the application in 81 provinces by the end of 2028, covering the entire population. In this context, it has become possible to facilitate access to services and to conduct regular dental check-ups for children between the ages of 0-12. Families who were informed about the applications participated in oral and dental health awareness training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The family dentistry practice is expected to make a very positive contribution to the oral and dental health of the society with the oral and dental health services currently provided by 131 Oral and Dental Health Centers, 32 Oral and Dental Health Hospitals \/ Training and Research Hospitals and 820 State Hospitals under the Ministry of Health with 9,950 units and 11,588 dentists in a total of 983 units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n H\u0131fz\u0131ss\u0131hha-T\u00fcrkiye Vaccine and Biotechnological Product Research and Production Center<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Vaccine production is a vital preventive healthcare service for all nations, crucial for immunization against infectious diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic brought to light the importance of not only domestic vaccine production but also the availability of medical supplies for public health, as evinced by reports of countries seizing masks and disinfectants to protect their own citizens. These and other events underscored the need for national self-sufficiency in vaccine production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A significant step forward in this regard is the establishment of the H\u0131fz\u0131ss\u0131hha-T\u00fcrkiye Vaccine and Biotechnological Product Research and Production Center at the end of 2022, spearheaded by T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s Ministry of Health. Situated near Ankara Esenbo\u011fa Airport, this state-of-the-art facility spans 50 thousand square meters and is equipped with advanced smart building technology. As its name implies, this center was designed to develop and produce a wide range of vaccines and biotechnological products. As the largest facility of its kind, it will serve as a hub for the development of vaccines and genetic products, such as the Turcovac COVID-19 vaccine and various inactivated, mRNA, intranasal, and adenovirus vaccines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 <\/strong>BBC News T\u00fcrk\u00e7e. (2023). Hatay merkezli depremler: 6 ki\u015fi hayat\u0131n\u0131 kaybetti, 562 ki\u015fi yaraland\u0131 <\/em>https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/turkce\/articles\/cglrzkl8418o.amp<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2 <\/strong>EM-DAT- The international disaster database. (2023). Public EM-DAT.<\/em> https:\/\/public.emdat.be\/data<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 3 <\/strong>K\u0131sa Dalga Haber. (2023). 2023\u2019\u00fcn ilk yedi ay\u0131nda 1022 orman yang\u0131n\u0131 \u00e7\u0131kt\u0131<\/em> https:\/\/kisadalga.net\/haber\/detay\/2023un-ilk-yedi-ayinda-1022-orman-yangini-cikti_77269<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 4 <\/strong>TRT Haber. (2023). Kastamonu\u2019da k\u00f6y yang\u0131n\u0131: 47 ev k\u00fcle d\u00f6nd\u00fc <\/em>https:\/\/www.trthaber.com\/haber\/turkiye\/kastamonuda-koy-yangini-47-ev-kule-dondu-807106.html<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n 5 <\/strong>Climate Change Service. (2023). Copernicus: November 2023 \u2013 Remarkable year continues, with warmest boreal autumn. 2023 will be the warmest year on record <\/em>https:\/\/climate.copernicus.eu\/copernicus-november-2023-remarkable-year-continues-warmest-boreal-autumn-2023-will-be-warmest-year<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6 <\/strong>ALAIN News T\u00fcrk\u00e7e. (2024). T\u00fcrkiye\u2019de 2023 Aral\u0131k ay\u0131, son yar\u0131m y\u00fczy\u0131l\u0131n en s\u0131cak ay\u0131 olarak belirlendi<\/em> https:\/\/tr.al-ain.com\/article\/turkiye-aralik-2023-sicaklik-rekoru<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 7 <\/strong>T.C. Sa\u011fl\u0131k Bakanl\u0131\u011f\u0131. (2023). T\u00fcrkiye, Gazze\u2019ye yard\u0131m ve t\u0131bbi estek malzemeleri g\u00f6ndermeye devam ediyor <\/em>https:\/\/www.saglik.gov.tr\/TR-100110\/turkiye-gazzeye-yardim-ve-tibbi-destek-malzemeleri-gondermeye-devam-ediyor.html<\/p>\n\n\n\n 8 <\/strong>T.C. Sa\u011fl\u0131k Bakanl\u0131\u011f\u0131. (2023). Gazze i\u00e7in yap\u0131lan yard\u0131mlar\u0131n\u0131n en b\u00fcy\u00fc\u011f\u00fc yola \u00e7\u0131kt\u0131 <\/em>https:\/\/www.saglik.gov.tr\/TR-100857\/gazze-icin-yapilan-saglik-yardimlarinin-en-buyugu-yola-cikti.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 9 <\/strong>T.C. Sa\u011fl\u0131k Bakanl\u0131\u011f\u0131. (2023). Gazze T\u00fcrk-Filistin dostluk hastanesi yak\u0131n\u0131na yap\u0131lan sald\u0131r\u0131ya ili\u015fkin a\u00e7\u0131klama <\/em>https:\/\/www.saglik.gov.tr\/TR-100503\/gazze-turk-filistin-dostluk-hastanesi-yakinina-yapilan-saldiriya-iliskin-aciklama.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 10 <\/strong>T.C. Sa\u011fl\u0131k Bakanl\u0131\u011f\u0131. (2023). Gazzeli 68 hasta, 61 refakat\u00e7i ile birlikte tedavileri i\u00e7in \u00fclkemizdeler<\/em> https:\/\/www.saglik.gov.tr\/TR-101247\/gazzeli-68-hasta-61-refakatci-ile-birlikte-tedavileri-icin-ulkemizdeler.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 11 <\/strong>T.C. Sa\u011fl\u0131k Bakanl\u0131\u011f\u0131. (2024). COVID-19 Bilgilendirme Platformu<\/em> https:\/\/covid19.saglik.gov.tr\/<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n 12 <\/strong>T.C. Sa\u011fl\u0131k Bakanl\u0131\u011f\u0131. (2024). Haftal\u0131k \u0130nfluenza (Grip) S\u00fcrveyans Raporu, 2023\/52. Hafta (25-31 Aral\u0131k 2023) <\/em>https:\/\/grip.saglik.gov.tr\/depo\/influenza-raporu\/2024\/Haftalik_Influenza_Grip_Surveyans_Raporu_2023_52._Hafta_9c351.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 13 <\/strong>T.C. Sa\u011fl\u0131k Bakanl\u0131\u011f\u0131. (2024). HIV\/AIDS \u0130statistikleri. <\/em> https:\/\/hsgm.saglik.gov.tr\/depo\/birimler\/bulasici-hastaliklar-ve-erken-uyari-db\/Dokumanlar\/Istatistikler\/hiv-aids-2023.pdf<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 14 <\/strong>Emniyet Genel M\u00fcd\u00fcrl\u00fc\u011f\u00fc. (2023). Trafik \u0130statistik B\u00fclteni, \u00dclke Geneli (Aral\u0131k-2023) <\/em>https:\/\/www.trafik.gov.tr\/istatistikler37<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 15 <\/strong>Ye\u015filay. (2023). Ba\u011f\u0131ml\u0131l\u0131kla M\u00fccadele Merkezi<\/em> https:\/\/www.yesilay.org.tr\/tr\/<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n 16 <\/strong>Anadolu Ajans\u0131 Haber. (2023). \u201cAile Di\u015f Hekimli\u011fi\u201d uygulamas\u0131 2024\u2019te 20 ile yayg\u0131nla\u015ft\u0131r\u0131lacak <\/em>https:\/\/www.aa.com.tr\/tr\/saglik\/aile-dis-hekimligi-uygulamasi-2024te-20-ile-yayginlastirilacak\/3050538#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 17 <\/strong>Sa\u011fl\u0131k-Der. (2023). T\u00fcrkiye Sa\u011fl\u0131k Raporu 2023<\/em> https:\/\/www.saglikder.org.tr\/upload\/raporlar\/2023_SAGLIK_RAPORU.pdf<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n 18 <\/strong>Anadolu Ajans\u0131 Haber. (2021). T\u00fcrkiye\u2019nin \u2018a\u015f\u0131 ve biyoteknoloji \u00fcss\u00fc\u2019 2022 y\u0131l\u0131 sonunda hizmete al\u0131nacak <\/em>https:\/\/www.aa.com.tr\/tr\/saglik\/turkiyenin-asi-ve-biyoteknoloji-ussu-2022-yili-sonunda-hizmete-alinacak-\/2462019<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" T\u00fcrkiye experienced several watershed events in public health in 2023, some yielding positive and others negative outcomes. The earthquakes that struck on 6 February 2023, centered in Kahramanmara\u015f\u2019s Pazarc\u0131k and Elbistan districts, respectively, rattled ten other surrounding provinces, leading to what would become dubbed the disaster of the century. These two earthquakes left an excess…<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/yillik.kizilayakademi.org.tr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ucar-f1-1024x526.png\")
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