Nexus Between Information and Communication Technologies and Publıc Health Expenditures:Evidence from Türkiye

Acar Y., Değerli H., Değerli H., Özgün Acar D.

NİŞANTAŞI ÜNİVERSİTESİ SOSYAL BİLİMLER DERGİSİ, cilt.14, sa.1, ss.143-153, 2026 (TRDizin)

Özet

Although the role of health-specific technologies has been extensively studied, the broader impact of general ICT (Information and CommunicationTechnologies) adoption on public health expenditures remains unclear. This study investigates the long-run relationship between ICT (i.e., mobilecellular subscriptions per 100 people) and public health expenditures in Türkiye. Using annual time series data, an Autoregressive DistributedLag (ARDL) model is estimated to analyse the long-term effects of ICT, GDP per capita, population aged 65 and over, and urbanization on publichealth expenditures. The findings show that ICT usage has a positive long-run relationship with public health expenditures. Additionally, theproportion of the population aged 65 and over and urbanization both positively influence public health expenditures in the long term. In contrast,GDP per capita demonstrates a negative association. The results highlight the importance of ICT infrastructure, population aging, and urbandevelopment in shaping public health financing. Policymakers should consider these structural factors in designing sustainable and inclusivepublic health expenditure strategies.