Sustainable Welfare Latest Issue

In the aftermath of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, financial stability, which has been declared one of the common objectives of central banks along with price stability, has become a more frequently discussed topic in economic literature. Financial development, through the reduction of transaction costs and time, provides a framework for interactions between financial institutions and market participants. The dependency between these components of the financial system can cause a problem in one of the institutions to become a systemic risk. It is therefore very important to be able to identify financial instability in advance or to determine its extent. It is not possible to find a single and generally accepted criterion for financial instability in the existing literature. While some studies attempt to measure financial instability on the basis of some macro variables, other studies try to predict instability within the framework of some components of the financial system. In this context, some variables of the banking sector and the stock market as well as some measures of the balance sheets of monetary institutions are important criteria for the instability of the financial system. The aim of this study is to investigate the existence of long-run effect of financial instability on economic growth in the countries defined as the "Fragile Five". Financial instability is measured by three different indicators: non-performing loans, stock market volatility and the Z-score, while economic growth is measured by the rate of increase in real income per capita. The econometric analysis uses second-generation panel data methods, which allow for cross-sectional dependence and heterogeneity, on data compiled by the IMF and the World Bank for the period 2000-2020. The long-run estimates of the cointegration coefficients using AMG approach show that various indicators of financial instability have a significant impact on economic growth in the Fragile Five.

This research, conducted at a private X Hospital in Istanbul, stands out as a comprehensive cost analysis study aimed at enhancing resource management and cost-effectiveness in the healthcare sector. It seeks to make a valuable contribution to the limited number of cost analysis studies on private hospitals and to serve as a guiding resource for hospital administrators in better understanding cost structures and utilizing resources efficiently. The study was meticulously carried out using data gathered from a wide array of financial documents, including the hospital’s financial records, employee salaries, and supplier payments. Employing scientific methods such as cost estimation, cost allocation analysis, and comparative cost analysis, the cost structures of hospital units were examined in detail. The analysis conclusively determined the hospital’s total expenditure as 10,217,605.69 ₺. Findings clearly revealed that labor costs and general overhead expenses constitute a substantial proportion of total costs. Potential areas for savings in labor costs were identified, and various improvement recommendations were developed. Furthermore, it was established that a significant portion of expenses is distributed across primary and auxiliary production overheads. This research underscores the vital role of cost analysis and strategic management in the healthcare sector once again. It offers decision-makers concrete, practical, and applicable recommendations to improve resource efficiency and cost management. By optimizing cost management processes, the study ultimately aims to enable hospital administrators to deliver sustainable, high-quality healthcare services in the long term while enhancing operational efficiency and providing robust support for strategic planning.

Health tourism, extending beyond traditional tourism, has rapidly emerged as a globally significant and fast-growing sector. Key drivers of this growth include advancements in communication and transportation, rising health awareness, increased demand for efficient use of time, and the desire to combine vacation with medical care. Health tourism refers to individuals temporarily traveling from their place of residence to another country or region to receive healthcare services aimed at maintaining or improving their health. Today, not only developed countries but also developing ones have increasingly invested in this sector, intensifying international competition. In addition to promoting economic growth, health tourism offers countries benefits such as foreign currency inflow and increased employment. Within this framework, the main objective of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of Turkey and India in the field of health tourism. Using SWOT analysis, the study evaluates the current status of both countries. Key dimensions include health infrastructure, medical tourism potential, international patient attraction, cost policies, healthcare workforce, service quality, and promotional efforts. Findings show that Turkey has substantial advantages in terms of natural resources, geographic location, and healthcare service quality; however, it has not yet fully utilized this potential. The analysis also indicates that both countries, while having competitive healthcare systems and government-backed health tourism initiatives, face structural and operational challenges. These include service quality variations, pricing inconsistencies, and safety concerns. Despite these issues, both countries hold significant opportunities for growth in the global health tourism market. This study provides a comprehensive view of the strengths and weaknesses of Turkey and India in this field and offers strategic recommendations to enhance their competitiveness. The research aims to contribute to the academic literature while offering practical insights for policymakers and sector stakeholders seeking to develop sustainable and globally competitive health tourism models.

Dietary supplements are products used to supplement individuals' nutrition and prevent nutritional deficiencies, and the importance of their correct and informed use is increasing. Understanding the purpose, method, and frequency of use of these products, which are becoming increasingly popular among young adults and university students, is essential to ensure their safe and effective use. This study aimed to assess university students' knowledge level regarding dietary supplements. Conducted cross-sectionally, this study was carried out among students studying at universities in Konya during the 2023-2024 academic year. Research data were collected via an online survey using the snowball sampling method and obtained from 272 participants. A significance level of p <0.05 was accepted in all analyses. Fifty-eight point one percent of participants used dietary supplements, with the most common purpose being to support adequate and balanced nutrition and prevent iron deficiency. Dietary supplements are generally consumed in tablet form, and their use mostly occurs based on a doctor's recommendation. Participants who did not use supplements mostly stated that they did not need them or that they obtained the nutrients from their diet. Frequency of use and types of supplements varied; multivitamins and vitamin D were used “every day,” while biotin and calcium were mostly preferred “once a week.” Participants' knowledge level regarding nutritional supplements was limited, with a particular lack of information observed regarding proper use, content information, and side effects. In conclusion, university students' knowledge level regarding nutritional supplements was found to be limited. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating dietary supplement awareness into daily life. Evidence-based information should be provided to the public for safe and informed use, and targeted education programs should be planned. Furthermore, using these products only upon the recommendation of healthcare professionals will reduce potential health risks.

The development of women's cooperatives in Turkey and the challenges they face are being examined in master's and theses using scientific approaches from various disciplines, including sociology, economics, and business administration. The purpose of this systematic review is to compile postgraduate theses on women's cooperatives published in Turkey between 2013 and 2023 through a comprehensive literature review and analysis. The aim is to present the perspectives of cooperative members, their strengths, the main problems they face, and potential solutions within a scientific framework. To this end a search was conducted using the search engine of the National Thesis Center system of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) Presidency between 2013 and 2023 with the Turkish keywords “women's cooperative” and “women's cooperatives.” The search yielded 26 postgraduate theses. A total of 20 postgraduate theses, including 13 master's theses and 7 doctorate theses, were included in the systematic review and evaluated based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. It was found that most of the theses were written in 2022 (n=6) and 2023 (n=5), while no theses were written in the field of women's cooperatives in 2014, 2015, and 2016. When looking at the distribution by institute, it was observed that the most theses were written at the Institute of Social Sciences (n=16) and the least at the Institute of Natural Sciences. When looking at the distribution of postgraduate theses by university, it was observed that the most theses were written at Middle East Technical University (n=3). In addition, it is seen that qualitative design is mostly preferred as the research design and Turkish is preferred as the writing language. In conclusion, this study, which examined postgraduate theses written in different institutes and departments of different universities in the field of women's cooperatives, observed that women develop themselves individually, socially, and economically and

Obesity and its associated comorbidities have become a major global public health concern, imposing a substantial burden on healthcare systems and socioeconomic structures. Although lifestyle modifications, including healthy dietary patterns, regular physical activity, and behavioral approaches, constitute the cornerstone of weight management, poor long-term adherence often leads individuals to seek alternative strategies. In this context, herbal supplements are widely used for their purported anti-obesity properties.This narrative review examines the mechanisms of action, efficacy, and safety profiles of several commonly used herbal supplements. Ginger has been associated with thermogenesis and appetite regulation; however, current findings remain inconsistent. Dandelion exhibits antioxidant and anti-adipogenic properties, yet human studies confirming these effects are limited. Garcinia cambogia may provide modest short-term weight loss, while concerns regarding hepatotoxicity persist. Guar gum and partially hydrolyzed guar gum may enhance satiety and improve lipid profiles; however, their roles in long-term weight control remain unclear. Guarana and yerba mate may offer metabolic and cardiovascular benefits due to their caffeine and polyphenol content, but further clinical evidence is required to substantiate these effects. Opuntia ficus-indica fiber extracts may promote modest weight reduction by increasing fecal fat excretion, although gastrointestinal adverse effects have been reported. Green tea, particularly its catechin epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), exerts multiple mechanisms affecting adipogenesis and energy metabolism, with hepatotoxicity mainly associated with concentrated extracts. Overall, while these supplements demonstrate various biological activities, evidence supporting their long-term effectiveness in weight management is limited. Sustainable lifestyle modifications remain the most reliable and effective strategy for obesity prevention and treatment.