Prof. Dr. Nurhan Meydan Acımış, Faculty Member of the Department of Public Health at PAU Hospitals, said in her statement:

“Health is not only the absence of diseases but also the attainment of complete physical, mental, and social well-being by individuals. With this holistic understanding, we once again remind the power of preventive health services and invite all our people to take conscious steps to build a healthy future. During Public Health Week on September 3–9, everyone should take action for vaccination, combating obesity, and adopting a healthy lifestyle. Vaccination is one of the most effective and least costly health interventions in history, having saved millions of lives. With the National Childhood Vaccination Schedule, Türkiye provides protection against 13 different diseases and has achieved global success in this field with a vaccination rate of approximately 97 percent. However, to sustain this success, it is vital that unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated individuals complete their vaccinations. By believing in the power of vaccines, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from infectious diseases.”

Prof. Dr. Nurhan Meydan Acımış: “Build a Shield Against Diseases with Healthy Lifestyle Choices”

Pointing out that the sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits brought by modern life have led to an increase in many chronic diseases, especially obesity, Prof. Dr. Meydan Acımış stated, according to Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) data, that 20.2 percent of individuals over the age of 15 in Türkiye are obese. Stating that obesity paves the way for serious health problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, Prof. Dr. Nurhan Meydan Acımış continued her words as follows:

“Based on the theme ‘Let’s Eat Healthy, Let’s Move,’ simple changes we make in our daily lives can make a big difference. Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and avoiding harmful habits such as smoking reduce many risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The World Health Organization recommends at least 150–300 minutes of physical activity per week for adults and an average of 60 minutes per day for children and young people. Using the stairs instead of the elevator, walking short distances, or taking an active break during your lunch hour are the first steps towards a healthy future. Remember, small steps can make big differences. Every individual’s compliance with the vaccination schedule, attention to hygiene rules, and keeping their environment clean play a major role in preventing the spread of epidemics. Public Health Week is not only an opportunity to be informed but also to take action. For the health of yourself, your family, and your environment, check your vaccination schedules, make physical activity and healthy eating a part of your life, and make effective use of health services. Remember, the care each individual shows for their health forms the foundation of a strong society. Let us all walk together towards a healthy future in this Public Health Week.”