Self-Assessed Health Status in Turkey by Demographic Factors, Labor Market Status and Risky Health Behaviors

In this study, we provide both a descriptive analysis and ordered probit analysis of the self-reported health status for adult men and women in Turkey. Self -reported health is considered to be a reliable measure of adult health status and comparable to the clinical measures of health status. We will report on how self- reported health varies by demographic factors, such as education, household income, age, region and gender. We will also consider how Self-reported health varies by labor market indicators. Further, we will also provide evidence on the self -reported health and its variation by different risky health behaviors. The risky health behaviors considered are smoking, drinking, lack of exercise and the body mass index (BMI). Finally, the variation of SAH by objective health measures will be examined. For the study, we will use Health Research Survey of Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT) for 2008 and 2010. This will be the first study of self -reported health status by gender in Turkey. It will provide a baseline for further studies of the various aspects of health issues in Turkey.