A study in the children’s health-oriented health policies after COVID-19 pandemic period in Turkey

Abstract

Aim: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic revealed significant negative effects on children and people with disabilities who are classified as socioeconomically disadvantaged groups in addition to individuals in Turkey as in the whole world. Especially, children constitute the most disadvantaged group in families with low socioeconomic status. The situation of these children was analyzed in the study. Also, the performance of health policies for children in COVID-19 pandemic period has been evaluated. Material and Methods: This study was used in the statistics published in Turkey and in various countries. Results: Outbreaks are likely to cause significant physical and psychological problems, especially in children. In particular, the medium and long-term effects of being locked up at home on children when their parents have to work are not known in addition to the social distancing that they experience due to the inability of children to come together with their peers. In addition to the deaths in the near and distant environment due to the disease, the fear of getting sick has also a high risk to form negative effects on the psychological development of children. For this reason, to protect the health of future generations, policies implemented for the health of today’s children gain importance. Conclusion: The right to health and education should be universally given to every child. But in developing countries, families cannot provide adequate support to their children for reasons such as unequal income distribution and unemployment. Children are forced to work to support their families when the help of government and institutions is insufficient or cannot be done regularly.