Turkish Health Survey 2025-Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT)

Abstract

The Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) has announced the results of its 2025 Turkey Health Survey (THS), which it conducts every two or three years since 2012 and publishes summaries of its results on its website, via a bulletin. The variables collected in this survey include: general health, height and weight information, illnesses and treatments received in the six months prior to the survey date, and functional abilities in performing daily activities status for children aged 0-14. For individuals aged 15 and over, general health status, chronic diseases, functional abilities in performing daily activities, personal care, use of health services, medication use, vaccinations received, height and weight information, smoking and alcohol use, and many other variables in this area can be obtained from the research. However, some of these variables were not included in the TUIK news bulletin. Therefore, we can say that the Health Survey is not sufficiently comprehensive in terms of public health.

Given that the 2023 THS could not be conducted, the 2025 THS could have been a significant focus of attention for those interested in health policy. As will be seen below, it is questionable how much this research deserves this attention, and how seriously TUIK (Turkish Statistical Institute), which analyzes the service data produced by the state, takes the matter, both in the design of the research and in the analysis and publication of the results (none of the Turkey Health Surveys published by TUIK have been published; they are only presented as a data set on its website). Although I do not agree with the view that TUIK data is entirely inadequate and incomplete, and I believe that we should make maximum use of the data produced by this national database, we can say that TUIK should work in cooperation with other competent organizations in this field, primarily the Ministry of Health and universities, taking into account the valuable contributions of the scientific community.