Research Article

Health for All? A Study on Equity in Health Services Utilization in Turkey

Volume: 8 Number: 5 October 15, 2025
TR EN

Health for All? A Study on Equity in Health Services Utilization in Turkey

Abstract

Inequities in the utilization of health services may stem from income-related, occupational, or region-based factors. These inequities require intervention by policymakers when they prevent individuals from utilizing health services for avoidable and unjust reasons. The Health Transformation Program, initiated in 2003, can be regarded as a policy intervention of this nature. This program aims to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of health services. However, the level of prosperity resulting from this policy change still needs to be analyzed. This study addresses this gap in the literature. It examines whether the principle of equity in health service utilization has been achieved after the Health Transformation Program. For this purpose, data from the Turkey Health Survey were analyzed. The probit model estimates show that, in addition to income-related inequity, region-based inequities exist in health service utilization in Turkey. Furthermore, evidence of inequity was observed among specific occupational groups. In order to address inequities in the utilization of health services in Turkey, it is essential that policies are implemented with greater precision. It is especially important that health policies are supported by income, wealth, and employment policies..

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Ethical Statement

It is declared that scientific and ethical principles have been followed while carrying out and writing this study and that all the sources used have been properly cited.

References

  1. Acar, İ. A., & Kitapcı, İ. (2008). Sosyal Güvenliğin Demografik Boyutu: Türkiye’deki Emeklilik Sistemindeki Değişim. Maliye Dergisi(154), s. 77-98.
  2. Aday, L. A., & Andersen, R. M. (1974). A Framework for the Study of Access to Medical Care. Health Services Research, 9(3), s. 208-220.
  3. Aday, L. A., Andersen, R. M., & Fleming, G. V. (1980). Health Care in the U.S.: Equitable for Whom? Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
  4. Agartan, T. I. (2015). Health Workforce Policy and Turkey’s Health Care Reform. Health Policy, 119(12), s. 1621-1626.
  5. Akkaya, Y. (2000). Sosyal Güvenlik Tarihi Üzerine Notlar. Toplum ve Hekim, 15(2), s. 82-91.
  6. Andersen, R. M. (1968). A Behavioral Model of Families’ Use of Health Services. University of Chicago Press.
  7. Andersen, R. M. (1995). Revisiting the Behavioral Model and Access to Medical Care: Does it Matter? Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 36(1), pp. 1-10.
  8. Andersen, R. M., & Newman, J. F. (1973). Societal and Individual Determinants of Medical Care Utilization in the United States. The Milbank Memorial Fund Quarterly: Health and Society, 51(1), s. 95–124.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Applied Microeconometrics, Behavioural Economy, Health Economy

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 15, 2025

Submission Date

June 13, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 14, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 8 Number: 5

APA
Okan, J., & Karaduman, H. (2025). Health for All? A Study on Equity in Health Services Utilization in Turkey. Uluslararası Ekonomi Siyaset İnsan Ve Toplum Bilimleri Dergisi, 8(5), 494-515. https://doi.org/10.59445/ijephss.1719000
AMA
1.Okan J, Karaduman H. Health for All? A Study on Equity in Health Services Utilization in Turkey. Uluslararası Ekonomi Siyaset İnsan ve Toplum Bilimleri Dergisi. 2025;8(5):494-515. doi:10.59445/ijephss.1719000
Chicago
Okan, Janberk, and Hasan Karaduman. 2025. “Health for All? A Study on Equity in Health Services Utilization in Turkey”. Uluslararası Ekonomi Siyaset İnsan Ve Toplum Bilimleri Dergisi 8 (5): 494-515. https://doi.org/10.59445/ijephss.1719000.
EndNote
Okan J, Karaduman H (October 1, 2025) Health for All? A Study on Equity in Health Services Utilization in Turkey. Uluslararası Ekonomi Siyaset İnsan ve Toplum Bilimleri Dergisi 8 5 494–515.
IEEE
[1]J. Okan and H. Karaduman, “Health for All? A Study on Equity in Health Services Utilization in Turkey”, Uluslararası Ekonomi Siyaset İnsan ve Toplum Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 8, no. 5, pp. 494–515, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.59445/ijephss.1719000.
ISNAD
Okan, Janberk - Karaduman, Hasan. “Health for All? A Study on Equity in Health Services Utilization in Turkey”. Uluslararası Ekonomi Siyaset İnsan ve Toplum Bilimleri Dergisi 8/5 (October 1, 2025): 494-515. https://doi.org/10.59445/ijephss.1719000.
JAMA
1.Okan J, Karaduman H. Health for All? A Study on Equity in Health Services Utilization in Turkey. Uluslararası Ekonomi Siyaset İnsan ve Toplum Bilimleri Dergisi. 2025;8:494–515.
MLA
Okan, Janberk, and Hasan Karaduman. “Health for All? A Study on Equity in Health Services Utilization in Turkey”. Uluslararası Ekonomi Siyaset İnsan Ve Toplum Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 8, no. 5, Oct. 2025, pp. 494-15, doi:10.59445/ijephss.1719000.
Vancouver
1.Janberk Okan, Hasan Karaduman. Health for All? A Study on Equity in Health Services Utilization in Turkey. Uluslararası Ekonomi Siyaset İnsan ve Toplum Bilimleri Dergisi. 2025 Oct. 1;8(5):494-515. doi:10.59445/ijephss.1719000

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