Political Economy of Health in Turkey

The Political Economy of Health (PEoH) in Conflict is one of major research work streams, it aims to provide systematic and empirically grounded research capacity in the political economy of health in conflict and conflict effected MENA countries, particularly around methods to examine the historical development and policies of their health systems, and the role of government, the private sector, international donors and humanitarian agencies. R4HC PEoH working group defined the PEoH in conflict as “the political economy of health in conflict concerns the influence of public policy, economic and political ideas and decisions, individuals, networks and institutions in shaping population health and the distribution of resources for health, and how this influence operates in conflict; and for conflict-affected populations in humanitarian and development contexts.” There were major changes in health system during the last two decades in Turkey starting with the health transformation program (HTP); financial burden, liberalization of health, inequity, increasing conflicts, migration, economic challenges, digital transformation and COVID-19 pandemic were the driving forces behind the major changes in the health system. So, the main focus of this review was to analyze the PEoH and transformation of the health system after 2000. The major issues in the national health agenda and health indicators throughout the years were investigated.