Socioeconomic and health inequality in two regions of Turkey

Abstract

This study investigated health inequalities between two areas within the city of Bursa, Turkey from a socioeconomic perspective. Information was gathered from 582 subjects > 15 years old using self-assessed health of the respondents, a general health questionnaire, and disability records. Health service access and health inequalities with respect to demographic and socioeconomic data are reported. The study indicates that the health of people living in socioeconomically less advantaged neighborhoods of Bursa is worse than that of people in more affluent areas. However, socioeconomic status has no effect on disability, as ascertained with a Brief Disability Questionnaire. The results of this large-scale study provide a contemporary view of regional health disparity in a major urban setting in Turkey.