People of Turkish Heritage

Diversity can be seen in the human history of Turkey where over the past 10,000 years various civilizations have risen and fallen due to invasions by newcomers, disease epidemics, and natural disasters such as earthquakes. It continues to be a land of educational, religious, and cultural diversity. What is presented about the Turkish culture in this chapter is based on studies from Turkey and on observations of and experiences with Turkish immigrants. This chapter follows the dominant values and beliefs according to the 12 domains of the Purnell Model for Cultural Competence: overview/heritage, communication, family roles and organization, workforce issues, biocultural ecology, high-risk behaviors, nutrition, pregnancy, death rituals, spirituality, health-care practices, and health-care practitioners.