The article titled “Addressing Disparities: Unmet Health Needs and Its Impact on Health-Related Quality of Life” by Yetim and Uğurluoğlu (2025) provides a comprehensive examination of how unmet health needs significantly influence individuals’ perceived quality of life in Türkiye. Drawing on large-scale national data from the Turkey Health Surveys conducted in 2014, 2016, and 2019, the authors investigate how socioeconomic and demographic factors intersect with access barriers and chronic conditions—especially cardiovascular diseases—to affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The analysis includes over 70,000 adult observations and employs a robust statistical framework, including exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, to align survey data with the EQ-5D-3L measurement model.
A key finding is that unmet health needs are strongly and negatively associated with HRQoL. People unable to access healthcare services due to financial constraints, distance, transportation difficulties, or long appointment wait times reported significantly lower HRQoL scores. The authors emphasize that women, elderly individuals, those with lower education and income, and patients suffering from cardiovascular conditions are particularly vulnerable. Regression analyses across all three survey years confirm these trends, with unmet needs such as unaffordable medical care or medication, and logistical access barriers, showing consistent negative impacts on HRQoL scores.
This study also highlights the persistent structural disparities in Türkiye’s healthcare system, suggesting that economic inequality and system-level inefficiencies continue to hinder equitable health outcomes. The authors advocate for targeted policy interventions including improved financial protection, expansion of digital health services, enhancement of transportation infrastructure, and proactive chronic disease management programs. By addressing these gaps, the healthcare system could move toward more inclusive, accessible, and equitable service delivery.
In sum, the study makes a significant contribution to public health literature by empirically demonstrating the critical role that access to healthcare plays in determining quality of life, reinforcing the importance of health equity in policy design and system reform.
Reference: Yetim, B., & Uğurluoğlu, Ö. (2025). Addressing disparities: Unmet health needs and its impact on health-related quality of life. Psychology, Health & Medicine. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2025.2512160
