On July 24 is celebrated the World Self-Care Daya concept that the World Health Organization (WHO) defines as the ability of individuals, families, and communities to take care of their own health, prevent, and cope with disease or disability with or without the help of a health professional.
Desirable self-care practices include health literacy, mental well-being, physical activity, healthy eating, limiting risky habits or practices —such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption—, good hygiene —hand washing, for example— and the responsible use of over-the-counter medicines and health services.
Health systems both in Argentina and in the world face important challenges derived from demographic changes, climate change, the increase in the prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases and the fragmentation of health services. This context may be even more affected considering that by 2030 the WHO forecasts a global shortage of some 18 million health workers.
“It is essential to raise awareness among people to practice self-care and make decisions about their own health, such as responsible and safe self-medication when a minor condition of illness is recognized” Dr. Jimena Worcel, Medical Director of the Argentine Chamber of Over-the-Counter Medicines (CAPEMVeL).
A pioneering index for Self-care
With the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Self-Care Federation (GSCF) created the Self-Care Readiness Index 2.0 (SCRI 2.0) with the aim of working on a better design of health systems and laying the foundations for different initiatives. The research findings confirmed the current lack of a comprehensive view of both self-care and its systematic benefits. Although perceptions of self-care vary globally, the concept is present in many national health policies, mainly through prevention programs such as vaccination and health promotion. Despite the fact that health education remains largely neglected globally, SCRI 2.0 found that individual empowerment reduces the need for health care interventions and promotes better health in all populations.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
