Self-care: an untapped resource

Bas Vorsteveld, Area Managing Director for Northern Europe | Kenvue

Each winter the NHS faces incredible strain, with stories of near pandemic-level workloads. Yet amid these pressures, empowering people to take control of their health and wellbeing through self-care remains an underutilised resource. One that could deliver significant economic and health benefits.

Self-care for sustainable healthcare

The economic benefits of self-care are best illustrated by the UK’s £3.3bn over-the-counter medicines (OTC) market. The PAGB estimates that for every £1 spent by consumers, £5.40 is saved in avoided workplace absences, the NHS saves £1.90 in prescription and appointment costs, and the OTC sector contributes £1 to the economy in wages and exports.¹

This represents billions of yearly savings, including £18bn of avoided workplace absences and £6.4bn prescription and appointment costs,² and ultimately drives more growth for the UK. Empowering more people to practise self-care could boost these savings, supporting workplace productivity and reducing pressure on NHS services. Think of a shift worker waking up with bad seasonal allergies. Rather than booking a doctor’s appointment or taking time off, they turn to their local pharmacist for OTC solutions and head into work feeling better.

The Global Self-Care Federation found that self-care can also lead to a substantial reduction in physician workload.³ Furthermore, 96 per cent of the UK population experiences at least one self-treatable illness every year, with 43 per cent experiencing more than four⁴ – representing millions of potential pressure points for healthcare workers.

Prevention as well as cure

In addition to treating symptoms as they arise, self-care can play a role in preventing future ill-health, resulting pressures, and future costs for the NHS. One of the best examples of preventative steps for individual health is to stop smoking for good.

This is why we welcome cross-party support for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to impose additional restrictions on the sale of tobacco and consumer nicotine products, as well as the upcoming Disposable Vapes Ban to limit youth access to vaping.

Reducing access to and the appeal of consumer nicotine products is crucial but must be underpinned with detailed support to ensure former smokers remain smoke-free, while also helping the growing number of vapers to transition to nicotine-free lives.

With over 40 years of innovation and quit-smoking support through Nicorette®*, we are firmly committed to supporting these preventative efforts and helping every smoker and vaper achieve a total quit from tobacco and nicotine.

Time for innovative approaches

At a time when UK healthcare is facing a shortage of workers and increased demand, innovative approaches are needed to futureproof services. Self-care holds great promise for preventative strategies and managing immediate needs and symptoms.

This, alongside associated savings and productivity gains, cements the case for prioritising self-care – and there is no better time to act than now.

For more information about Kenvue, please visit www.kenvue.com/uk

*Nicorette QuickMist mouthspray contains nicotine. Stop nicotine-vaping and smoking aid. Requires willpower. Always read the label.

References

1. The Economic Impact of Over-the-Counter Products in the UK, Report for PAGB, the consumer healthcare association, pp.4-5
2. The Economic Impact of Over-the-Counter Products in the UK, Report for PAGB, the consumer healthcare association, p.5
3. The Global Social and Economic Value of Self-Care, Global Self-Care Federation socio-economic research report, p.7
4. The Economic Impact of Over-the-Counter Products in the UK, Report for PAGB, the consumer healthcare association, p.17

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