ACESSA, ILAR, and the GSCF held the 1st Latin American Congress of Self-care in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
São Paulo, Brazil, set the stage for a pioneering event in Latin America that brought together health experts, government authorities, civil society organizations, international entities, and the private sector. The goal was to collectively promote Self-Care and acknowledge its role as a fundamental aspect of public policies in the region.
ILAR, ACESSA (Brazilian Association of the Health Self-Care Products Industry), and the GSCF (Global Self-Care Federation) organized the 1st Latin American Self-Care Congress. The event took place on November 8 and 9, 2023, in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, under the theme "Making self-care a health movement." It gathered participants from the regional and global health ecosystem to discuss and converge on actions enabling the full social and economic potential of self-care and improving health outcomes for the population.
Health systems in Latin America and worldwide face significant challenges and limitations, economically and in terms of care capacity, stemming from demographic changes, the rise in chronic non-communicable diseases (NCCDs), and health system fragmentation. Therefore, empowering people to practice self-care and actively participate in decisions about their health is crucial. The 1st Latin American Self-Care Congress served as a platform for debating key topics:
Promotion of Self-Care: Emphasizing the importance of self-care in health strategies in Latin America and globally.
Health Education: Discussing health education and literacy and their contribution to a healthier society.
Public Policies: Analyzing public policies related to self-care and their impact on population health.
Access to Self-Care Products and Services: Exploring ways to enhance access through efficient regulatory frameworks.
The event featured recognized experts and leaders in the self-care field, representatives from international organizations and civil society, and high-level authorities from Ministries of Health, Foreign Affairs, Regulatory Agencies, and the Legislative power of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and Peru.
The congress topics were designed to encourage dialogue and share experiences among speakers. The sessions over two days focused on showcasing the social and economic impact of self-care, its role in building resilient health systems, the importance of health education and individual empowerment, and the correlation between access to self-care products and digital health.
Sao Paulo Declaration on Self-care for Universal Health Coverage
A significant moment on the first day was the presentation of the "São Paulo Declaration on Self-Care for Universal Health Coverage." The declaration aimed to articulate Latin America's position, supporting the future WHO Global Resolution. This resolution seeks to guide Member States on aligning resources, investments, and policies toward a unified and harmonized national strategy on self-care. The São Paulo Declaration expresses the support of key health decision-makers in Latin America, member organizations of "United for Self-Care," health professionals, the private sector, and other health ecosystem organizations.
On the second day, discussions were focused on innovation, sustainability, and the future regulation of self-care products. Topics included collective actions and alliances driving innovation for environmentally sustainable self-care, regulatory frameworks, and pathways supporting primary healthcare systems efficiently through convergence, harmonization, and trust mechanisms for appropriate self-care interventions in health management.
Defined by the WHO as "the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health professional," self-care is essential to address health challenges in Latin America and globally. Juan Thompson, General Director of ILAR, declared, "This Congress and the São Paulo Declaration represent a milestone in the promotion of health and well-being in our region." declared Juan Thompson, General Director of ILAR.
Enjoy the summary of this event and #ActivaElSelfcare!
[1] Members of the United for Self-Care Coalition include Global Self-Care Federation, American Osteopathic Association, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Cardiff University, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Global Coalition on Aging, Imperial College London, International Association of Patient Organizations, International Confederation of Midwives, International Self-Care Foundation, International Council of Nurses, International Pharmaceutical Federation, Program for Appropriate Technology in Health, Self-Care Trailblazer Group, White Ribbon Alliance, the Australian Self-Care Alliance, International Center for Self-Care Research
ABOUT ACESSA, ILAR and GSCF
ACESSA (previously known as ABIMIP) is known as a leading organization in the promotion of Self-Care, informing individuals about the importance of health prevention. Its mission is to act as a transformative agent, showing the value of self-care to the health system and empowering individuals through education, offering greater freedom of choice and access to products that promote well-being.
ILAR is the Latin American Association of Responsible Self-Care, a non-governmental organization that leads the promotion of responsible self-care as the best way to be and stay healthy, as well as guarantee adequate access and use of self-care products in Latin America. ILAR is an NGO with consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and members of the GSCF.
GSCF, the Global Self-Care Federation, exists to create a healthier world through self-care and represents associations and manufacturers of these products on five continents. One of its missions is to contribute to WHO's public health objectives through its expertise, which it has been doing officially since 1977. Its strategic priorities are to achieve universal health coverage and promote healthier populations.