The relationship between regional inequalities in the provision of emergency health services and other health services

In this research, it was aimed to examine relationship between regional inequalities in the provision of emergency health services and other health services in Turkey. The values of the number of emergency services and the population per emergency service for the years 2002-2021 were taken from the most up-to-date database published by the Ministry of Health in 2022 and were chosen as the dependent variables of the study. The “regional price level indices for consumption expenditures (PLI)” and “gross domestic product per capita, Statistical Regions Level 2 (PcGDP)” data compiled by TURKSTAT were used as independent variables. Number of emergency stations were significantly correlated with TR31 (İzmir) (r = 0.903; P < .01), TR32 (Aydin, Denizli, Muğla) (r = 0.771; P < .01), TR42 (Kocaeli, Sakarya, Düzce, Bolu, Yalova) (r = −0.798; P < .01), TR62 (Adana, Mersin) (r = 0.837; P < .01), TR63 (Hatay, K.Maraş, Osmaniye) (r = −0.749; P < .01), TR72 (Kayseri, Sivas, Yozgat) (r = −0.719; P < .01), TR83 (Samsun, Tokat, Çorum, Amasya) (r = 0.873; P < .01), TRA2 (Ağri, Kars, Iğdir, Ardahan) (r = −0.873; P < .01), TRB2 (Van, Muş, Bitlis, Hakkari) (r = −0.736; P < .01), TRC2 (Şanliurfa, Diyarbakir) (r = 0.697; P < .01), and TRC3 (Mardin, Batman, Şirnak, Siirt) (r = 0.574; P < .01). In total, 11 of 26 were significantly correlated with inequalities. Although the number of emergency services has increased since 2002 and the population density per emergency room has tended to decrease, regional inequalities also have an impact on the delivery of emergency services today.