Comparison of Quarterly Data from Districts with the Highest and Lowest Chronic Disease Screening Rates in Family Health Centers: The Case of Istanbul

Abstract

Chronic diseases and complications related to chronic diseases are the leading causes of death both globally and in our country. At the same time, the average life expectancy has increased worldwide and in our country, which means that the elderly population is also increasing. As individuals age, they grow older along with their chronic illnesses. A population that is aging with an increasing number of chronic diseases becomes a society composed of sick individuals. This is a disadvantageous situation in many aspects, both for individuals and for countries. As in many countries, our country has initiated various practices to prevent chronic diseases, ensure early diagnosis, keep them under control, and manage the disease process of individuals with chronic conditions in a healthy manner. In our country, screening and monitoring programs for chronic diseases have been made available to family physicians under the name of the Disease Management Platform. The effective implementation of these programs will contribute to healthy aging with fewer complications and less damage. This study aims to investigate the reasons behind the differences by comparing the screening rates and demographic data of the districts in Istanbul with the highest and lowest chronic disease screening rates. It is believed that discussing the findings and proposing solutions will contribute to the more effective use of the system.