NEXUS BETWEEN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AND HEALTH EXPENDITURES: EVIDENCE FROM TÜRKIYE

Öz

Although the role of health-specific technologies has been extensively studied, the broader impact of general ICT adoption on health expenditures remains unclear. This study investigates the long-run relationship between ICT (i.e., mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 people) and health expenditures in Türkiye. Using annual time series data, an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model is estimated to analyse the long-term effects of ICT, GDP per capita, population aged 65 and over, and urbanization on health expenditures. The findings show that ICT usage has a positive long-run relationship with health expenditures. Additionally, the proportion of the population aged 65 and over and urbanization both positively influence health expenditures in the long term. In contrast, GDP per capita demonstrates a negative association. The results highlight the importance of ICT infrastructure, population aging, and urban development in shaping health financing. Policymakers should consider these structural factors in designing sustainable and inclusive health expenditure strategies.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• ARDL Model
• Health Expenditures
• ICT
• Mobile Phone Subscriptions
• Türkiye

BİLGİ VE İLETİŞİM TEKNOLOJİLERİ İLE SAĞLIK HARCAMALARI ARASINDAKİ İLİŞKİ: TÜRKİYE ÖRNEĞİ

Öz

Sağlığa özgü teknolojilerin rolü kapsamlı bir şekilde incelenmiş olsa da, genel BİT kullanımının sağlık harcamaları üzerindeki daha geniş etkisi belirsizliğini korumaktadır. Bu çalışma, Türkiye'de BİT (100 kişi başına mobil hücresel abonelik) ile sağlık harcamaları arasındaki uzun vadeli ilişkiyi araştırmaktadır. Yıllık zaman serisi verileri kullanılarak, BİT, kişi başına GSYİH, 65 yaş ve üzeri nüfus ve kentleşmenin sağlık harcamaları üzerindeki uzun vadeli etkilerini analiz etmek için ARDL model kullanılmıştır. Bulgular, BİT kullanımının sağlık harcamalarıyla uzun vadede pozitif bir ilişkiye sahip olduğunu göstermektedir. Ek olarak, 65 yaş ve üzeri nüfus oranı ve kentleşme, uzun vadede sağlık harcamalarını olumlu yönde etkilemektedir. Buna karşılık, kişi başına GSYİH negatif bir ilişki göstermektedir. Sonuçlar, sağlık finansmanının şekillenmesinde BİT altyapısının, nüfus yaşlanmasının ve kentsel kalkınmanın önemini vurgulamaktadır. Politika yapıcılar, sürdürülebilir ve kapsayıcı sağlık harcama stratejileri tasarlarken bu yapısal faktörleri dikkate almalıdır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• ARDL Model
• Sağlık Harcamaları
• ICT
• Mobil Telefon Aboneliği; Türkiye

Etik Beyan

Makalemiz Etik kurul gerektirmeyen bir çalışmadır.

Kaynakça

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