July 24, 2024 (Mississauga, ON) — Today, Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada (FHCP) joins a global coalition in celebrating International Self-Care Day, emphasizing the critical role of effective self-care in building sustainable and resilient healthcare systems. Evidence-based self-care enhances prevention, empowerment, health literacy, and cost-effective health management, complementing existing healthcare delivery and fostering healthier populations.
Despite its benefits, access to self-care interventions is not universal. As proud members of the Global Self-Care Federation (GSCF), we fully support their #SelfCareIsHealthCare campaign, which highlights the value of self-care and urges policymakers to integrate it into national health systems and policies. It is time to act on the evidence showing that self-care is integral to healthcare, ensuring equitable health and well-being for all.
The 2022 Self-Care Readiness Index from the GSCF and WHO indicates strong support for self-care among Canadian consumers and healthcare practitioners, yet underscores a need for improved health literacy and regulatory support. While the importance of self-care for healthcare system stability is recognized, Canada still lacks a federal strategy for its implementation.
“Self-care is a fundamental aspect of public health and crucial for alleviating the pressure on Canada’s healthcare system,” says FHCP CEO, Michael Graydon. “Yet, our federal government has not fully recognized or harnessed the potential benefits of self-care as an integral part of healthcare.”
A small shift towards self-care can significantly impact healthcare resources. If 16% of Canadians managed mild symptoms through self-care, an additional 500,000 people could access a family doctor. Many Canadians already use non-prescription drugs and natural health products, which are regulated under Health Canada's delayed Self-Care Framework. We continue to work with Health Canada to expedite this Framework to boost consumer confidence and improve health outcomes.
We urge the federal government to implement a National Self-Care Strategy to enhance health literacy and fully capitalize on the benefits of self-care. Our Self-Care Blueprint provides the foundation for this essential effort, underscoring that self-care is not just an option but a vital component of healthcare.
To explore resources on health literacy and the seven pillars of self-care, please visit selfcare.ca.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL SELF-CARE DAY
International Self-Care Day is a worldwide campaign held annually on July 24 (7/24) as a reminder that the benefits of self-care are experienced 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It celebrates the importance of self-care and encourages the public to practice responsible self-care.
ABOUT FHCP
FHCP is the voice of Canada’s leading food, health, and consumer products manufacturers. Our industry employs more people than any other manufacturing sector in Canada, across businesses of all sizes that manufacture and distribute the safe, high-quality products at the heart of healthy homes, healthy communities, and a healthy Canada. Learn more at OnEveryShelf.ca.