
What is the Right to a Healthy Life?
The right to a healthy life, is considered a fundamental right that ensures individuals are in a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. This right includes not only access to health services, but also healthy nutrition, clean water, air and living spaces. However, in recent years, concerns have been growing that this right is being violated. Economic crises, inflation and social inequalities are endangering the ability of millions of people to live healthy lives.
Negative Effects of Inflation on Health
Data announced by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK), inflation rates shows that it is rising. Food inflation in particular makes it difficult to access basic nutrients. The high level of annual food inflation of 43,58% directly affects the most vulnerable segments of society. This situation leads to the violation of basic rights such as access to health services and quality nutrition.
The Importance of Healthy Nutrition
A healthy and balanced diet is one of the most important factors that increase the quality of life of individuals. The right to adequate and balanced nutrition When ignored, the physical and mental health of individuals is negatively affected. Rising food prices make it difficult for low-income families to access healthy foods, which leads to nutritional deficiencies. In the long run, this situation leads to an increase in health problems in society.
Health and Economic Inequality
Economic inequality also has a profound impact on access to healthcare. While low-income individuals have difficulty accessing healthcare, higher-income individuals benefit more from these services. This leads to inequality of opportunity in healthcare and deepens social injustice in society. Public workers and the fact that retirees' wage increases remain below inflation further deepens this inequality.
Policies Need to Be Revised
It is essential to review current policies to protect the right to a healthy life. Putting the burden of the economic crisis on workers and transferring resources to capital violates the society's right to a healthy life. In this context, new policies It is necessary to develop and remove social aid from being a tool for political interests. Eliminating income and tax injustice and reorganizing social policies are of great importance for the health of the society.
Urgent Measures Must Be Taken for the Health of Children
For children to grow and develop healthily nutrition is of great importance. Free meal programs for school-age children should be implemented in socio-economically disadvantaged schools and this practice should be expanded. In this way, both the physical and psychosocial development of children will be supported.
Transparency and Scientific Approaches
The reliability of official statistics is critical to making decisions about public health. In addition to inflation data, all official data with scientific methods should be determined and shared with the public in a transparent manner. The announcement of the price list of items used by TÜİK to calculate food inflation will increase public confidence in this matter.
In conclusion,
The protection of the right to a healthy life affects not only the health of individuals but also the general health of society. Economic inequalities should be eliminated, access to healthy foods should be increased and health services should be made accessible to everyone. All segments of society should come together and fight to achieve these goals.