The determinants of unmet health needs and health-related quality of life: A study on circulatory system diseases

Health is a concept as ancient as human history, but continues to be a subject of debate regarding how it can be effectively maintained. It's well-known that health is influenced by numerous factors such as the environment, lifestyle, and genetic characteristics. Health services are suggested to be one of the key factors affecting health status. However, health services must be readily available when needed. There are, but, several factors hindering this accessibility. Among these factors, financial and systemic problems are prominent. Unmet healthcare needs arise due to these issues. While there is an abundance of literatüre on this subject, it has been observed that it has not been sufficiently addressed in Turkiye. Furthermore, the impact of unmet healthcare needs on quality of life remains unclear. Therefore, this study focuses on unmet healthcare needs in Turkiye and their effects on health-related quality of life, with a specific focus on circulatory system patients. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, health research data collected by TUIK has been utilized. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, t-tests and regression analyses. The study revealed that a significant number of unmet healthcare needs in Turkiye, negatively impacting individuals' quality of life. On the other hand, individual and demographic characteristics were found to have statistically significant effects on unmet healthcare needs and health-related quality of life. It was determined that unmet healthcare needs are more prevalent among women, individuals with lower education and income levels, and individuals having circulatory diseases. Consequently, it is recommended to provide financial support to these groups, improve education and income levels, and align the healthcare system with the needs of the population.