Bayer Study Examines Health Literacy

Bayer Research on Health Literacy Bayer, which has implemented numerous projects to increase health literacy levels in Turkey, has declared 22 October as "Health Literacy Day" with the aim of drawing nationwide attention to this issue. Health Literacy Day, to be celebrated for the first time this year, includes research conducted with the goal of bringing healthy living and preventive health concepts back to Turkey's agenda on 22 October each year and supporting public health. According to the results of the Turkey Health Literacy Survey conducted by research firm IPSOS, awareness levels regarding the importance of healthy living and what needs to be done to maintain health are high in our country, but the proportion of people implementing this information in their daily lives remains relatively low. One of the most important findings in the research, which noted that three out of every four people in Turkey had never heard of the term "health literacy" before, was that nearly half of the survey participants stated they had difficulty distinguishing between correct and incorrect information related to health. Leveraging the survey data, Bayer will conduct public information activities together with Pharmacist Adile Özdağ, Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Ayça Kaya and Otolaryngologist Prof. Dr. Aytuğ Altundağ to improve health literacy levels. The research, which evaluated household health understanding, personal and preventive health knowledge, eating habits, physical activities, attention to mental health, the relationship between health and technology, and reliable news sources across Turkey, contains striking data.

Good in Theory but Failing in Practice

The majority of survey participants are observed to be informed about issues that could affect their health status. However, despite being knowledgeable about products and behaviors that are beneficial or harmful to health, the proportion of those who translate this knowledge into their daily lives is notably low. For example, according to the research, close to 90% of Turkey knows that smoking, tobacco and tobacco product consumption is harmful, and that exercise and regular sleep have positive effects on health. Yet unfortunately, six out of every 10 people who have tried smoking continue to smoke. Additionally, the proportion of those who state they exercise once a week or more remains below 50%.