Self-care is health care
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Self-care refers to an individual’s role in preventing illness, promoting and maintaining mental and physical health, and actively participating in their health care.
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A growing body of evidence demonstrates that self-care has great value for individuals, health systems, society and the economy.
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Despite this, self-care is not universally recognized or understood as a health care intervention, and there are inequalities in access to self-care interventions around the world.
GENEVA, July 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As part of International Self-Care Day, which falls on 24 July this year, the Global Self-Care Federation (GSCF) is urgently calling on policymakers and healthcare leaders around the world to embrace self-care as a key component of healthcare and fully integrate it into national healthcare systems and policies.
The concept of self-care was first recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1983. It describes the role of individuals in preventing disease, promoting and maintaining mental and physical health, and taking an active role in their health care. Examples of self-care practices include medicines, devices, digital tools for diagnosis, and healthy lifestyle choices.
As healthcare systems around the world continue to face challenges, from increased demand for services to unequal access to care, self-care has proven to:
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Physical activity alone could prevent an estimated 3.9 million premature deaths each yearI
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Saves approximately $120 billion annually for global health systems and national economiesii
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Increase the independence and ownership of disadvantaged groups, including women and girls, in managing their own healthiii
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Providing a legitimate path to universal health care4 Four
Judy Stenmark, Executive Director of GSCF, said: “Currently, health systems around the world are under strain, with long-term health conditions on the rise and health inequities widening, and the impacts of COVID-19 are still being felt. Addressing these issues requires new approaches and strategies, including evidence-based self-care, to deliver sustainable health services that are fit for the future.”
“Our ‘Self-care is healthcare’ campaignall We aim to drive a movement to recognize self-care as an essential component of health care. Our goal is to encourage people and policymakers around the world to become more aware of the potential of self-care. At GSCF, we firmly believe that everyone benefits when there are more health care options and easier access to care.”
This year, GSCF is calling on its members and activists to rally around the #SelfCareIs movement to educate people around the world about the important link between self-care and health care, and to mobilize with local policymakers and health care providers to develop plans to urgently integrate self-care into the health care delivery continuum.
To find out more and get involved, visit the campaign’s website. https://selfcare-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 illness, maintain health and cope with illness or disability, with or without the assistance of health care professionals.
About the Global Self-Care Alliance
The Global Self-Care Federation represents self-care industry associations and manufacturers, advancing sustainable and better health outcomes for all people globally. The Global Self-Care Federation is the go-to source for the self-care industry. We work closely with our members and relevant stakeholder groups to deliver better choices, better care and better value. By keeping the benefits of self-care at the heart of what we do, promoting industry transparency and supporting regulated use of health data, we are ensuring that self-care continues to play an increasingly important role in sustainable healthcare around the world. For more information, visit www.selfcarefederation.org.
About International Self-Care Day
International Self-Care Day is celebrated annually on July 24thNumber (7/24), highlighting that the benefits of self-care can be felt 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. International Self-Care Day raises awareness of the value of self-care and the benefits that effective self-care brings to both individuals and healthcare systems as a key 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 %20 worker.
ii https://www.selfcarefederation.org/ecosoc-report
iii https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-02844-8#Sec19
4 Four 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
CONTACT: Media Contact: Rachael Tolfrey rachael.tolfrey@mandfhealth.com +44 7725983319
