Journals / Sosyal Sağlık Dergisi / 2026 / Sayı: 2026

An Examination of Disease Prevalence in the Adult Population in Türkiye: Social Policy Recommendations Based on National Health Survey Data

Türkiye’de Yetişkin Nüfusta Hastalık Prevalansının İncelenmesi: Ulusal Sağlık Araştırması Verilerine Dayalı Bir Sosyal Politika Önerileri

Mehmet Yorulmaz(SELÇUK ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-6670-165X
Şengül Sağlam(SELÇUK ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-9150-3142
Pages
53–62
Publication Date
2026-03-06
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Overall, a decrease in prevalence was observed from 2019 to 2022 in 11 out of the 12 conditions examined.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:This study aimed to describe changes in the prevalence of major self-reported diseases and health problems in Türkiye between 2019 and 2022 using national survey data.
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Key Findings & Data:The study is a repeated measures cross-sectional, secondary data analysis based on the gender distribution of major diseases/health problems reported in the last 12 months for individuals aged 15 and over, as presented in two tables, published by the Turkish Statistical Institute as part of the Türkiye Health Survey.
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Conclusion & Impact:Overall, a decrease in prevalence was observed from 2019 to 2022 in 11 out of the 12 conditions examined.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:2019 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Hastalık prevalansı · Türkiye sağlık araştırması · Sosyal politika analizi

Abstract

This study aimed to describe changes in the prevalence of major self-reported diseases and health problems in Türkiye between 2019 and 2022 using national survey data. The aim is to present recommendations for social health policies in Türkiye based on the findings obtained. The study is a repeated measures cross-sectional, secondary data analysis based on the gender distribution of major diseases/health problems reported in the last 12 months for individuals aged 15 and over, as presented in two tables, published by the Turkish Statistical Institute as part of the Türkiye Health Survey. Alzheimer's disease data was evaluated only for individuals aged 65 and over. For each disease, absolute change (percentage points) and relative percentage change were calculated using the total and gender-separate prevalences for 2019 and 2022. Overall, a decrease in prevalence was observed from 2019 to 2022 in 11 out of the 12 conditions examined. The largest relative decreases were observed in: Increased prevalence was observed in osteoarthritis (-28.6%), depression (-23.3%), allergies (-22.0%), and lumbar and cervical disorders (approximately -17% and -16%, respectively). In contrast, diabetes was the only disease with an increasing prevalence, rising from 10.2% in 2019 to 11.4% in 2022 (a relative increase of +11.8%). These findings indicate that while a decrease in the self-reported prevalence of some musculoskeletal, allergic, and mental health problems is observed in Türkiye, a significant increase continues in diabetes. The results point to the need to strengthen targeted primary/secondary prevention programs, especially for diabetes, and require consideration of the fact that the observed trends may also be influenced by changes in health service utilization, diagnosis, and reporting behaviors.

Özet

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Türkiye’de 2019–2022 yılları arasında temel öz-bildirime dayalı hastalık ve sağlık sorunu prevalansındaki değişimleri ulusal düzeyde tanımlamaktır. Çalışma, Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu’nun Türkiye Sağlık Araştırması kapsamında 15 yaş ve üzeri bireyler için yayımladığı, son 12 ayda bildirilen başlıca hastalık /sağlık sorunlarının iki tablo halinde sunulan cinsiyete göre dağılımlarını temel alan tekrarlı kesitsel, ikincil veri analizidir. Alzheimer hastalığı verileri ise yalnızca 65 yaş ve üzeri bireyler için değerlendirilmiştir. Her bir hastalık için toplamda ve kadın–erkek ayrı ayrı 2019 ve 2022 prevalansları kullanılarak mutlak değişim (yüzde puan) ve göreli yüzde değişim hesaplanmıştır. Genel olarak incelenen 12 durumun 11’inde 2019’dan 2022’ye prevalansın azaldığı görülmüştür. En büyük göreli azalmalar; osteoartritte (%−28,6), depresyonda (%−23,3), alerjilerde (%−22,0) ile bel ve boyun bölgesi bozukluklarında (sırasıyla yaklaşık %−17 ve %−16) saptanmıştır. Buna karşın diyabet, 2019’da %10,2’den 2022’de %11,4’e yükselerek (+%11,8 göreli artış) prevalansı artan tek hastalık olmuştur. Bu bulgular, Türkiye’de bazı kas-iskelet, alerjik ve ruhsal sorunların öz-bildirime dayalı prevalansında azalma izlenirken diyabette belirgin bir artışın devam ettiğini göstermektedir. Sonuçlar, özellikle diyabet için hedeflenmiş birincil/ikincil koruma programlarının güçlendirilmesi gereğine işaret ederken, gözlenen eğilimlerin sağlık hizmeti kullanımı, tanı koyma ve raporlama davranışlarındaki değişimlerden de etkilenebileceğinin dikkate alınmasını gerektirmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Yorulmaz, M., Sağlam, Ş. (2026). An Examination of Disease Prevalence in the Adult Population in Türkiye: Social Policy Recommendations Based on National Health Survey Data. Sosyal Sağlık Dergisi, Sayı: 2026, 53–62. https://doi.org/10.69514/sosyalsaglik.1855529

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