Why we need awareness weeks like National Self-Care Week

Awareness weeks, such as National Self-Care Week (18-24 November 2024), are crucial for spreading important public health messages. At the Self-Care Forum,
we believe these weeks are essential for encouraging better health choices.

Pharmacists: Key Players in Self-Care

Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to support self-care. They can provide advice on managing common ailments, medication adherence, and lifestyle changes. During
National Self-Care Week, pharmacists can promote self-care practices and educate the public on preventive health measures. And the Self-Care Forum has a variety
of free self-care aware fact sheets that are perfect resources to support people’s health.

Impact of Preventable Illnesses

Preventable illnesses significantly impact lives and healthcare systems:

In 2021/22, there were 125,612 avoidable deaths in England and Wales.
Cardiovascular disease causes 168,000 deaths annually in the UK.
Preventable conditions consume 40 per cent of the NHS budget.
Long-term sickness cost the UK economy £21 billion in 2022/23.