Geneva - 23 May 2025

Self-care, as defined by the World Health Organization, is the ability of individuals, families, and communities to manage their health with or without support from health workers. From daily habits like oral hygiene and sun protection to managing chronic conditions with tools like glucose monitors, self-care plays a vital yet often overlooked role in health systems worldwide.

As the burden of noncommunicable diseases grows, we urge member states to enshrine self-care in the 2025 political declaration on NCDs and mental health through three actions:
First, affirm self-care as a core strategy for NCD prevention and a pillar of universal health coverage.
Second, explicitly recognize its link to preventing, managing, and reducing NCDs.
Third, acknowledge its power to empower individuals, improve outcomes, and strengthen overstretched health systems.

Let us embed self-care into global commitments — not as a luxury, but as a necessity — ensuring all people have the tools, knowledge, and support to take charge of their health.