Self-care could generate up to 50% more economic and social benefits by 2040, according to an updated study by the Global Self-Care Federation (GSCF). The finding reinforces the importance of self-care as a tool for prevention, relieving pressure on healthcare systems, and improving daily well-being.
Self-care and productivity
The report cited by the original source maintains that responsible self-care produces quantifiable benefits in various contexts of the health system. The economic reading is clear: when people have information, appropriate products, and timely professional support, self-care can reduce avoidable consultations and improve resource utilization.
In Latin America, previous analyses have estimated that self-care practices and over-the-counter products provide relevant savings in well-being and productivity, with impacts that translate into time recovered for work and family activities. These types of results explain why the debate has shifted from the clinical to the economic.
What self-care includes
Evidence reviewed by specialists defines self-care as the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, and cope with symptoms or illnesses with or without professional support. This framework includes preventive habits, health education, exercise, nutrition, and the responsible use of medications and supportive devices.
- preventive self-care to avoid complications
- proper use of medications and diagnostic tests
- healthy lifestyle habits and health education
- guidance from professionals when necessary
Self-care and health systems
The value of self-care lies not only in savings. It also helps improve the sustainability of health systems by allowing mild or controllable cases to be managed without overburdening services that must focus on more complex conditions. This logic coincides with technical definitions promoted by public health organizations and specialists.
Self-care does not replace medical attention: it complements it and makes it more efficient when correct guidance is provided.
In practice, the challenge remains twofold: expanding access to reliable information and strengthening health literacy. Without these elements, self-care loses effectiveness and can become an unequal practice between those who know the system better and those with fewer resources.
The challenge towards 2040
Looking toward 2040, the scenario points to greater pressure on health services due to aging, chronic diseases, and the demand for primary care. In this context, self-care appears as a strategy of relatively low cost and high potential impact, provided it is applied with scientific criteria and proper regulation.
The GSCF study suggests that self-care can gain more weight in the public conversation and health policies. If this projection is met, the change will not only be clinical: it will also affect productivity, family spending, and the way countries organize their health responses.
For the Dominican Republic and the region, the message is direct: investing in self-care means investing in prevention, efficiency, and social well-being with effects that can grow from now until 2040.
