Advancing Global Self Care through Collaboration: Insights from the Federation
Self-care is not just a buzzword; it is a fundamental component of a healthy lifestyle. It involves taking responsibility for one’s health and well-being by making informed choices. However, self-care can be challenging, especially in the face of chronic diseases and aging populations. That’s why organizations such as the International Self-Care Foundation (ISF) are working tirelessly to advance global self-care through collaboration. Let’s take a closer look at some of the insights from the federation.
Self-Care is a Global Priority
The ISF is a global advocacy organization dedicated to promoting self-care as a key strategy for improving public health worldwide. The organization works with various stakeholders, including policymakers, healthcare professionals, and patient groups, to raise awareness of the benefits of self-care and develop policy proposals that support its implementation.
One of the most significant achievements of the ISF is the development of the Seven Pillars of Self-Care. These are a set of guidelines that provide a framework for individuals, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to promote and support self-care. The Seven Pillars are:
1. Knowledge and Health literacy
2. Mental Wellbeing
3. Physical activity
4. Healthy Eating
5. Risk avoidance and mitigation behaviors
6. Good hygiene
7. Rational and responsible use of products and services
Collaboration is Key
One of the core principles of the ISF is collaboration. The organization brings together stakeholders from different sectors, such as public health, government, and industry, to work towards a common goal. Collaboration helps to overcome challenges such as misinformation and lack of resources, and ensures that policy proposals reflect the needs and preferences of different populations.
The ISF has also formed partnerships with other global organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), to promote self-care globally. This collaboration has led to the inclusion of self-care in the WHO’s Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2020-2030.
Case Study: Self-Care in India
India is a country with one of the highest burdens of chronic diseases in the world. The government has recognized the importance of self-care in managing chronic diseases and has taken steps to promote it. For example, the government has launched the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke, which includes a focus on promoting healthy lifestyles and self-care.
In addition, the ISF has been working with local organizations in India to raise awareness of self-care and provide training to healthcare professionals. The collaboration has led to the development of self-care resources in local languages and the integration of self-care into healthcare curricula.
Conclusion
Self-care is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle, and its promotion should be a global priority. The International Self-Care Foundation is a leading organization working towards advancing self-care globally through collaboration. The Seven Pillars of Self-Care provide a framework for promoting self-care, and partnerships with other organizations such as the WHO and local stakeholders are critical to success. The case study of self-care in India demonstrates the positive impact of collaboration in promoting self-care in low- and middle-income countries.
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