Strengthening Turkish health sector engagement on climate and environmental policies

New EU-financed project aims to build the capacity of the Turkish health sector on communications and advocacy for better health protection

Studies regarding the impact of climate change and the environment on human health are gathering momentum while new data is being released every day. The World Health Organization estimates that almost 20% of all deaths in the European region is due to environmental factors[1]. Climate change is the biggest public health challenge of the 21st century, and we’re already witnessing an increase in extreme weather events such as heatwaves and a rise of infectious diseases. Decisive engagement is needed now to tackle the twin climate and environmental crisis and thus prevent further ill-health.

HEAL – Health and Environment Alliance, HASUDER – the Association Of Public Health Specialists,  and Kocaeli University,  Department of Public Health, have launched the “Health Collaboration on Climate Change and Environment Project” aiming to support the independent collaboration among actors working for environmental health in Turkey.

The following activities are foreseen in the three-year project;

• To set up a platform on environment and climate change, which all health actors are free to join, and which aims to increase collaboration in the sector,
• To implement face-to-face workshops, virtual education seminars for medical students and online training on climate change and environment based on the public health approach,
• To set up a dialogue with professional bodies, NGOs and think tanks in Europe for health professionals in Turkey,
• To create a set of educational materials on the environment, climate and health for the health sector and the interested public.

Project Coordinators

Funda Gacal, HEAL

Berkay Hacımustafa, HEAL

Doç. Dr. Melike Yavuz,  HASUDER

Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Çağlayan, Kocaeli University Public Health Department

Notes

Project announcement (TK)

Press release (TK)

The project is funded by the European Union. This webarticle was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of HEAL, HASUDER and Kocaeli University, Public Health Department, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.