Evaluation of the relationship of health literacy and health expenditures in Turkey

Health literacy is a factor that affects individuals' access to and use of health services. Health expenditures, on the other hand, play an important role in the financing of health services. Therefore, the relationship between health literacy and health expenditures is important for the sustainability of health services. Health literacy is a factor that affects individuals' access to and use of health services. Individuals with a high level of health literacy have more access to health services and use health services more effectively. Individuals with a low level of health literacy may experience difficulties in accessing health services and may not be able to use health services effectively. Health literacy is the ability of the individual to understand, interpret and act accordingly when a patient is asked to give medical information. In some studies conducted in Turkey, it has been determined that individuals with a low level of health literacy apply to health services less and their health expenditures are lower. This situation may lead to the restriction of access to health services by individuals with low health literacy levels and the diagnosis of health problems at more advanced stages. In another study conducted in Turkey, it was determined that individuals with a low level of health literacy spend more on health services, although they apply to health services less. This situation shows that individuals with a low level of health literacy resort to wrong treatments that may cause their health problems to reach more advanced stages before applying to health services. When the results of these and similar studies are evaluated in the literature, it is thought that when health literacy does not reach a sufficient level, health expenditures will increase in our country and in the world, and the burden of the public economy will increase with increasing health expenditures. Therefore, the aim of the study is to evaluate the "Relationship between Health Literacy and Health Expenditures". When we look at the indicators of public expenditures of the countries, the increase in expenditures in the field of health is an indicator, and the deficits of social security institutions in their budgets reveal the necessity of taking the necessary measures in this area. Inadequate health literacy leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of necessary treatment and preventive health services. In addition, it causes above-normal health expenditures to the national and global economy, as well as personal health problems. In this study, the relationship between health systems, health policies and health literacy assessment and evaluation tests was examined in the light of health expenditures. As a result of these examinations, it is considered that insufficient health literacy has negative consequences for the economy of countries and causes indirect or direct costs. For increased efficiency in health care and health economics. Suggestions have been put forward to increase the level of health literacy.