Sabri Ülker Foundation Makes Strong Contribution to Health Literacy

The Sabri Ülker Foundation's "Nutrition and Health Communication Program for Health Professionals," launched to support health literacy, reached thousands of physicians and pharmacists, creating significant impact on public health. The program's outcomes demonstrated that health professionals play a critical role in conveying scientific and reliable information to society.

Research showing that health literacy levels in Turkey are below desired standards underscores the importance of connecting accurate and reliable information with the public. Building on this need, the program initiated by Sabri Ülker Foundation in 2022 aims to strengthen health professionals' knowledge in nutrition and health communication.

To date, 62 different training contents published under the program have been viewed a total of 90,000 times. The program's results were shared at a meeting hosted by Begüm Mutuş, General Secretary of Sabri Ülker Foundation. The meeting was attended by members of the foundation's scientific board as well as academics and experts from Ankara Family Medicine Society (ANKAHED), Turkish Internal Medicine Specialty Society (TİHUD), Ankara Pharmacy Chamber, and Pediatry World Society.

"Investing in health professionals is investing in public health"
In his opening remarks, Sabri Ülker Foundation General Secretary Begüm Mutuş emphasized that access to correct information in healthcare has become a critical need today. Noting that health professionals rank among the most reliable sources during this period, Mutuş stated:

"Health professionals play a key role in connecting scientific and reliable information with society. Therefore, we view strengthening their capacity in nutrition and health communication as an important investment that contributes to public health in the long term. We evaluate our program not only as an educational initiative, but also as a social impact model that combats information pollution and creates public awareness."

Training directly contributes to clinical practice
Prof. Dr. F. Nur Baran Aksakal, Scientific Board Member and Program Coordinator at Sabri Ülker Foundation, shared data on the program's impact on health professionals.

Aksakal noted that the training provided under the program directly contributes to daily clinical applications, stating that the vast majority of participants integrated the knowledge they acquired into patient communication and treatment processes.

According to data shared by Aksakal:
-88.4% of family physicians,
-99.3% of internal medicine specialists

stated that the program contributed to them providing better services to their patients.

Additionally:
-90% of family physicians,
-96% of internal medicine specialists

believe these trainings should be included in medical school curricula.

The view that increasing nutrition knowledge levels would contribute to chronic disease management reaches 96% among family physicians and 99% among internal medicine specialists.

Scientific information creates multiplier effect in public health
Results from the program demonstrate that equipping health professionals with scientific and reliable information creates a strong multiplier effect on public health.

Sabri Ülker Foundation states it will continue to develop initiatives supporting health literacy in the period ahead and contribute to the delivery of scientific information to society through reliable channels.