Economic Impacts of Cardiovascular Diseases: An Econometric Evaluation in Turkey

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to determine the impact of the burden of cardiovascular diseases on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Turkey. METHODS: GDP was taken as the dependent variable and the burden of cardiovascular diseases was taken as the independent variable. The variables were analyzed within the frame of Panel Data Analysis. RESULTS: Significant relationships were found between GDP and burden of cardiovascular diseases. The unidirectional Granger causality relationship was determined from burden of cardiovascular diseases to GDP and revealed that they acted together in the long term. The analysis that made with using econometric regression models revealed that generally 1 unit increased in per capita of cardiovascular diseases decreased GDP by between 477651.8 – 624485.6 units (PPP$). CONCLUSION: The empirical results of the study revealed that the cardiovascular disease burden was one of the reasons for the decrease in GDP and their economic effects would continue in the long term in Turkey. From this perspective establishing and implementing policies to improve the burden of cardiovascular diseases in Turkey could be an important approach for the economic development.