Global Health Interview with Harvard Dean Prof. Dr. Rıfat Atun

Prof. Dr. Rıfat Atun, the new dean of the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, made evaluations on global health systems, chronic diseases, and current health trends.

A Turkish Dean at Harvard

Prof. Dr. Rıfat Atun stated that he views being the first Turkish dean at Harvard not as a personal achievement, but as a responsibility that will contribute to solving global problems.

Health Systems and Approaches

Stating that health systems cannot be evaluated solely by access, Atun expressed that there is no single best system, but rather systems that suit the values of society. He noted that the USA is in a poor condition despite high expenditures.

Turkey's Health Policies

Stating that Turkey implemented a healthcare transformation program between 2003 and 2013, but regression began afterwards, Atun noted that systems constantly building hospitals are not suitable for today.

Pandemic Risk and Diseases

Stating that the world entered the pandemic unprepared, Atun expressed that due to the devastation of the ecosystem, a new pandemic will definitely be experienced within our lifetime. He conveyed that progress is being made in cancer treatment, while Alzheimer's remains an enigma.