International Self-Care Day 2024

Empowering self-care in the ‘digital age’

24 July 2024

Today, the Australian Self-Care Alliance (Alliance), which APNA is a member of, joins the global community in marking International Self-Care Day and reiterates its call for the Federal Government to allocate $6 million to fund a ‘health star rating’ system for digital health information and services.

Self-care is a proven, comprehensive and cost-effective component of better health; however, an individuals’ capacity to engage in self-care is significantly influenced by systematic, structural and socioeconomic outside of their control.

Despite living in the ‘digital age’, Australians still do not have a mechanism to help them confirm the credibility of online health information and advice or verify the efficacy of digital health tools - many of which require the purchase of devices or accessories, software or an ongoing subscription.

• Globally, the health app industry generated $3.43 billion USD in 2023
• Less than 1% of weight loss apps were developed with input from health professionals
• 2 in 3 Australians consult ‘Dr Google’ before a doctor or pharmacist.
• 2 in 5 Australians read health information on social media platforms
• 52% have trouble identifying credible sources of digital information.

If supported by a $6 million investment from the Federal Government, the Alliance can develop a consumer-facing, accessible and credible ‘health star rating’ accreditation scheme for digital health information, products and services.

As John Bell AM, Chair of the Australian Self-Care Alliance, explains:

“Particularly when there is a direct cost to consumers for a digital health or wellbeing app or device, it is wholly appropriate that the Government develop an accessible resource that allows consumers to confirm the intervention is evidence-based and credible.”

“Additionally, considering the established ability of social media to disseminate information, shape public perception, and influence individuals’ health decisions, ensuring every Australian can confidently verify accuracy of health information should be a public health policy priority.”

Further information about the Alliance’s proposal is available HERE.

MEDIA CONTACT

Sarah Coward

Principal Consultant – Precision Public Affairs

0466 913 920

sarah.coward@precisionpublicaffairs.com

ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN SELF-CARE ALLIANCE

The Australian Self-Care Alliance (the Alliance) is a collaboration between healthcare consumers, health promotion charities, policy experts and industry partners, that promotes the adoption of self-care and its implementation as a core element of all aspects of physical and mental health services and policies for Australia.

The Alliance is Australia’s only peak self-care organisation for health and is registered as a Health Promotion Charity.

The Alliance acts as an advisor, mediator, and advocate for systemic changes in the delivery of health services towards greater self-care. While the term ‘self-care’ implies the responsibility of individuals, it cannot be simply reduced to a matter of personal responsibility and choice.

Individuals’ potential to be informed and able to undertake self-care of their health is dependent on underlying environmental and external factors that sit beyond the individual.

To this end, the Alliance supported the development of the landmark report by the Mitchell Institute for Education and Health Policy, ‘Self-care for health: a national policy blueprint’[1] (the Blueprint). Launched by the then Minister for Health on 7 October 2020, the Blueprint outlines a national policy approach to building self-care capability and enhancing self-care activity in all aspects of health and health care, and provides a framework for action.