Our study aims to examine public health policies implemented in Turkey during the early Republican period (1923–1947) from a social policy perspective. In the early years of the Republic, infectious diseases threatening public health emerged as a significant problem due to the destruction caused by wars, widespread poverty, and the inadequacy of health infrastructure. In this context, the newly established state carried out various institutional reforms in the field of health in line with its goals of modernization and social development, and public health policies became an important component of social policy practices.

In our study, particular attention is given to the policies implemented to combat widespread epidemic diseases of the period, especially malaria and syphilis. Within the scope of malaria control, measures such as the establishment of malaria control zones, the assignment of health personnel, and the Malaria Control Law of 1926 are examined. In the case of syphilis, the development of health legislation, treatment directives, and the expansion of health services are analyzed. Furthermore, our study evaluates the role of local governments and provincial health organizations in the implementation of public health policies. In this regard, municipalities and local health units played a significant role in combating epidemics, expanding health services, and raising public awareness. Our study demonstrates that social policy practices in the early Republican period were implemented not only by the central administration but also through local administrative mechanisms.