The impact of preventive healthcare on self-rated health status among adults and the elderly in Turkiye

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the sociodemographic factors and the utilization of preventive healthcare services associated with self-rated health status among adults and the elderly in Turkiye. Methods: We performed statistical tests to evaluate differences in the frequency of preventive health service use, based on perceived health status across various age groups. We utilized multi-level probit regression models to scrutinize the self-rated health status, considering factors associated with sociodemographic variables and the receipt of preventive healthcare among adult groups and the elderly using the Turkiye Health Survey (HS) Micro Dataset (2022). Results: This study highlights a clear and positive association between self-rated health status and preventive health services, particularly in consultations with general practitioners, blood pressure measurements, and blood sugar tests. Notably, regular utilization of these services within the past year positively influences health status. This relationship is more pronounced with age, especially among young and middle-aged adults. Typically, tobacco and alcohol use have a negative impact on health for each age group, while education level has a positive effect. Additionally, affordability constraints on accessing healthcare services and medication have a clear negative impact. Conclusion: Subsidizing primary healthcare, screenings, and expanding healthcare services are essential for effective health policy implementation. Policies should focus on subsidizing primary care and screenings to encourage regular check-ups, considering both age and gender.