Policymakers should recognise #SelfCareIsHealthcare in campaign bid to address global health challenges
24 July 2024 - 12:01AM
UK Regulatory
Policymakers should recognise #SelfCareIsHealthcare in campaign bid
to address global health challenges
- Self-care describes the role of individuals in preventing
disease, promoting and maintaining their mental and physical
health, and actively participating in their
healthcare
- A wealth of evidence demonstrates the significant value of
self-care to individuals, health systems, society and the
economy
- Despite this, self-care is not universally viewed or
understood as a healthcare intervention and there is unequal access
to self-care interventions around the world
GENEVA, July 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The
Global Self-Care Federation (GSCF) is urgently calling upon
policymakers and health leaders worldwide to embrace self-care as
an essential component of healthcare, by ensuring it is fully
integrated into national health systems and policies, as part of
this year’s International Self-Care Day on July 24.
The concept of self-care was first recognised by
the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1983. It describes the role
of individuals in preventing disease, promoting and maintaining
their mental and physical health, and actively participating in
their healthcare. Examples of self-care practices include
medicines, devices, diagnostics digital tools as well as healthy
lifestyle choices.
As health systems worldwide continue to face a
range of challenges – from increased demand on services, to
inequity in access to healthcare – evidence shows that self-care
can:
- avert an estimated 3.9 million
premature deaths each year, through physical activity
alonei
- save nearly $120 billion each year
for global healthcare systems and, therefore, national
economiesii
- improve the autonomy and agency of
disadvantaged groups, including women and girls, in managing their
own healthiii
- provide a legitimate tool in the
pursuit of universal health coverageiv
Judy Stenmark, Director General of GSCF, said:
“Right now, health systems around the world are struggling,
long-term ill health is on the rise, health disparities are growing
and the impact of COVID-19 is still being felt. Addressing these
requires new approaches and strategies, including evidence-based
self-care - to achieve sustainable health services fit for the
future.
“Our ‘Self-care is healthcare’ campaign
is all about fuelling the movement for self-care
to be recognised as an integral part of healthcare. It aims to
drive greater awareness and recognition of the potential of
self-care to people and policymakers across the world. At GSCF, we
firmly believe that everyone benefits when there is a greater
choice of healthcare options and more accessible entries to
care.”
Building on this year’s International Self-Care
Day, GSCF is urging members and campaigners to rally behind the
#SelfCareIs movement. This initiative aims to educate global
audiences about the critical link between self-care and healthcare.
It also encourages engagement with local policymakers and
healthcare providers to call on them to put in place plans for the
urgent integration of self-care into the healthcare delivery
continuum.
To find out more and to get involved,
please visit the campaign website:
https://self-care-is-healthcare.org/.
Notes to editors
WHO definition of self-care
Self-care is the ability of individuals, families and communities
to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with
illness and disability with or without the support of a health
worker.
About The Global Self-Care
Federation
The Global Self-Care Federation represents associations and
manufacturers in the self-care industry, promoting sustainable and
better global health outcomes for all. The Global Self-Care
Federation is the go-to source of information for the self-care
industry. We work closely with our members and relevant stakeholder
groups to deliver better choice, better care and better value. By
placing the benefits of self-care at the heart of what we do,
promoting industry transparency, and supporting the regulated use
of health data, we ensure that self-care continues to play its
increasingly vital role in sustainable healthcare, worldwide. For
more information please visit: www.selfcarefederation.org.
About International Self-Care
Day
International Self-Care Day is held annually on July
24th (7/24), to highlight that the benefits of self-care
are experienced 24 hours a day, seven days a week. International
Self-Care Day raises awareness of the value of self-care and the
benefit that effective self-care can bring to both individuals and
healthcare systems as a vital foundation of health.
i
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/self-care-health-interventions#:~:text=Self%2Dcare%20is%20the%20ability,a%20health%20or%20care%20worker.
ii https://www.selfcarefederation.org/ecosoc-report
iii
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-02844-8#Sec19
iv
https://www.who.int/health-topics/self-care#tab=tab_1
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b4ee215a-f0b4-4837-a280-90659dcf5aa5