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

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..