Abstract

While the income-health relationship has been widely studied globally, empirical evidence for Türkiye remains limited. This study investigates how income and other socioeconomic and health system factors affect health status indicators in Türkiye's 81 provinces between 2010 and 2017. We used dynamic panel data analysis via the one-step System GMM estimator. Health outcomes included infant mortality rate (IMR), under-five mortality rate (U5MR), and life expectancy at birth (LE). Explanatory variables covered per capita income, healthcare workforce distribution, hospital infrastructure, and labor market indicators. 5 model developed to test the effects of variables. We found a significant negative long-run relationship between income and both IMR (M1, p=0.012/ M2, p=0,016) and U5MR (M3, p=0,031/M4, p=0,001), but no statistically significant long-term relationship with LE (p=0.157). In the short-run employment and migration rates were positively associated with improved health outcomes, while higher unemployment was linked to worse outcomes. Notably, growth in the number of midwives and general practitioners showed significant associations with lower IMR and U5MR. Findings support the hypothesis that higher income improves child health outcomes but reveal a threshold effect where additional income yields diminishing returns. Strengthening the healthcare workforce-particularly midwives and general practitioners-and improving labor market conditions could contribute significantly to improving population health. Policy efforts should focus not only on raising income but also on equitable distribution, employment support, and health investment allocation.

Key words: Dynamic panel data analysis, health inequalities, income, Türkiye. JEL Codes: C33, C36, D31, I14. JEL Codes: C33, C36, D31, I14.

Article Language: EnglishTurkish