On the occasion of the 76th World Health Assembly, the United for Self-Care Coalition hosted a side event highlighting the need to embed self-care into the healthcare continuum, particularly in the context of managing the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), strengthening primary health care (PHC) and advancing universal health coverage (UHC).
The event, which was held on Wednesday 24 May entitled “Self-Care: A Foundational Component of Health System Sustainability,” brought together policymakers, healthcare providers, academics and patient advocates to discuss strategies for integrating self-care into national health systems and advancing health equity.
Speakers from a range of organisations provided a rich debate, including representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), the Self-Care Trailblazer Group, Imperial College London Self-Care Academic Research Unit (SCARU) and the International Alliance of Patient Organisations (IAPO). Speakers highlighted the potential benefits of self-care, including improved health outcomes, increased access to healthcare services, stronger health systems and reduced healthcare costs.
The event also featured the official launch of the United for Self-Care Coalition, which is a global group of like-minded organisations unified by one common goal: to achieve UHC through codifying recognition of the value of self-care within the WHO to spearhead the development of a WHO Resolution on Self-Care and/or inclusion of self-care as a meaningful component of progress. The Coalition will work collaboratively to raise awareness of the importance of self-care, promotes evidence-based interventions, and advocates for policies and strategies that support the integration of self-care as a core component of people-centred care and PHC.
“The United for Self-Care Coalition is proud to have hosted this important side event at the World Health Assembly,” said Judy Stenmark, Director General of the Global Self-Care Federation. “The time to act is now. We believe that self-care is a critical component for the advancement of UHC, and we are committed to working with policymakers, healthcare providers, patients and academic partners to promote its integration into the healthcare continuum.”
