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 is the ability,a health or care worker.
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


Policymakers should recognise #SelfCareIsHealthcare in campaign bid to address global health challenges

TIN LIÊN QUAN

DentaQuest Opens Nominations for 2023 Health Equity Heroes

The awards recognize individuals and organizations working toward equitable access to oral care and optimal health outcomes...

Centura St. Catherine Hospitals of southwest Kansas welcome

SOUTHWEST KANSAS, March 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We are pleased to announce that Anita Toussi, MD, PHD, MBA, FACEP, CPE, has been named Chief Medical...

New Clinical Studies Demonstrate that Sword Health Improves

The studies are the first to evaluate how underserved patient populations progress when given access to a digital care program- In Study #1 Black and...

THỦ THUẬT HAY

Cách tìm điểm phát WiFi trên ứng dụng Facebook

Tính năng Find WiFi trên ứng dụng Facebook sẽ giúp người dùng tìm kiếm điểm WiFi xung quanh vị trí hiện tại của người dùng, kèm theo đó là đường chỉ dẫn cụ thể tới vị trí WiFi

Nacho Notch: Ứng dụn "cắt tai thỏ" trên mọi smartphone Android

Nếu như Huawei P20 và P20 Pro có chế độ cho người dùng “cắt tai thỏ' thì ứng dụng Nacho Notch cũng mang đến khả năng tương tự. Sau khi cài đặt, ứng dụng này sẽ hiển thị một đường đen hai bên “notch', giúp bạn có cảm

Ổ cứng là gì?Hiện có mấy loại?

Ngày nay hầu hết những loại máy tính lớn nhỏ đều cần sử dụng đến ổ cứng, đây là một bộ phận vô cùng quan trọng cho máy tính, nó có tính năng lưu trữ mọi dữ liệu cá nhân và chúng luôn được truy xuất thường xuyên.

Cách lấy lại tài khoản Microsoft bị quên, bị mất

Nếu quên mật khẩu chúng ta có rất nhiều cách để lấy lại, nhưng lấy lại tài khoản Microsoft bị quên thì phải làm gì ? Trong bài viết hôm nay chúng tôi sẽ hướng dẫn bạn cách để có thể lấy lại tài khoản Microsoft trong

10 cách hợp pháp để nghe nhạc trực tuyến mà hoàn toàn miễn phí

Tất nhiên, có rất nhiều điều khiến chúng ta phải cân nhắc trước khi đăng ký một dịch vụ âm nhạc trực tuyến và một trong những khía cạnh quan trọng nhất là chi phí. Mặc dù trả phí cho một bài hát là không quá đắt nhưng

ĐÁNH GIÁ NHANH

Đánh giá camera Samsung Galaxy J5 Prime: Còn thiếu một chút để hoàn hảo

Samsung Galaxy J5 Prime được trang bị camera với phần cứng mạnh mẽ. Vậy chất lượng ảnh chiếc máy đem lại như thế nào? Hãy cùng FPTShop nhận xét

Trải nghiệm nhanh GPD Win - máy tính Windows nhỏ gọn, tích hợp gamepad chuyên game giả lập

GPD Win 5.5 là một chiếc máy tính chạy Windows bỏ túi (UMPC) hay cũng có thể gọi là máy chơi game chạy Windows với hệ thống phím chơi game riêng và cần xoay joystick tích hợp. Nó được hoàn thiện khá tốt và mang lại