Policymakers should recognise #SelfCareIsHealthcare in campaign bid to address global health challenges
2024年7月24日 - 8:01AM
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-careSelf-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
FederationThe 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
DayInternational 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
Media Contact:
Rachael Tolfrey
rachael.tolfrey@mandfhealth.com
+44 7725983319