Moving Forward: The First Issue of 2026 and the Iconic Symbol of Hygieia

Dear Colleagues, 

I am very pleased to present the first issue of the Yeditepe Journal of Health Sciences in 2026, in the second year of the rebirth of our journal.

c for predicting the malaria which is an important health issue in the region. Other two articles are published as outcomes of the student research projects in relation to peer mentoring trainings (Aslan et al.), empathy and ethical perception of first-year medical students (Demirci et al.). 

The cover image for this issue features Hygieia, painted by Gustav Klimt (1862–1918). Created between 1900 and 1907, this work formed part of the ceiling fresco Medicine, commissioned by the art committee of the Ministry of Education for the assembly hall of the University of Vienna. In Greek mythology, Hygieia was the daughter of Asclepius and was regarded as the goddess of hygiene, health, cleanliness, and sanitation. In Klimt’s depiction, she appears as a figure of purification and healing, holding the Aesculapian snake in her left hand and the cup of Lethe in her right—symbols that remain associated with pharmacy today. Unlike the other figures in the Medicine panel, which represent disease and death, Hygieia embodies the protective aspect of medical science. Her calm yet powerful presence, combined with her direct gaze, reinforces this role. In this context, she is not portrayed as a femme fatale but rather aligns with the traditional representation of women as caretakers. Unfortunately, this powerful ceiling painting was destroyed in a fire at Immendorf Castle in 1945 during World War II. Only black-and-white photographs and detailed studies have survived to the present day. 

Please note that as stated previously, our goal is to achieve inclusion in internationally recognized high-impact databases. By aligning our rigorous standards with global indexing requirements, we are not only pursuing indexation for our journal but also reaffirming our commitment to advancing global health. We sincerely thank all authors and reviewers who contributed to this issue. While we anticipate an increase in submissions following indexation, we rely on continued support to reach this goal and therefore encourage further contributions from authors and reviewers across all institutions.

Stay healthy and happy,

Gülderen Yanıkkaya Demirel

Editor-in-Chief