Being Healthy in Turkey: A Pseudo-Panel Data Analysis

Ozdamar, Oznur and Giovanis, Eleftherios (2016): Being Healthy in Turkey: A Pseudo-Panel Data Analysis. Published in: Hacettepe University Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences , Vol. 35, No. 1 (31 March 2017): pp. 89-110.

Abstract

This study empirically examines the determinants of health status in Turkey. Moreover, this is the first study up to date that explores the indoor air pollution as a determinant of health in Turkey using a micro-level dataset. Relevant analyses are done using Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT) Cross Sectional Income and Living Conditions Survey (2006-2012). Two approaches are followed for the entire analyses. Using Pseudo-Panel Data based on age cohorts, an Adapted Probit Fixed Effects Model is applied to control for time invariant characteristics of the regions, thereby eliminating potentially large sources of bias. Moreover, Random-Effects Ordered Logit Model is applied as a robustness check. Various determinants are examined including household and personal characteristics such as socioeconomic status. The findings show that income and education are the most important socioeconomic determinants of health followed by the marital and employment status. Furthermore, estimations for fuel-typed used in dwelling as a proxy for indoor air pollution show that using natural gas and electricity has more positive effects on individuals’ health status than using wood or coal. Finally, findings may point out the importance of policies on the education reconstruction, income distribution and clean environment to improve health status of people and reduce health inequalities

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Health Status, Pseudo-Panel, Socio-Economic Status, Indoor air pollution
• Subjects: I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I1 - Health > I14 - Health and Inequality; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q5 - Environmental Economics > Q51 - Valuation of Environmental Effects

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