Pharmacists Key for Self Care

Pharmacists have been identified as key healthcare professionals in the support of self-care for Australians challenged by economic status, according to Australian Self Medication Industry (ASMI) CEO Deon Schoombie.

Speaking on the celebration of the Bayer and ASMI jointly sponsored International Self-Care Day yesterday, Schoombie explained, “Developing strong selfcare behaviours doesn’t have to be costly, with so many resources already in place, such as advice and support from pharmacists, simple tracking devices on phones and exercise guidance.”

While poverty and lack of education have been identified by 89% of Australians as the key barriers to being able to look after their own health, according to a new national survey commissioned by Bayer, 34% with low incomes(<$46,000) rate their health as good, compared to 55% of high income earners (>$81,000). Barriers for high income earners were identified as lack of free time (65%) or even motivation (60%).

John Bell, Self-Care advisor to the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia said, “Self-care is all about the individual’s attitude to and responsibility for their own health.  “Preventative measures to maintain health or prevent disease need to be taken and can be as simple as a daily walk.”  With half of the nation living with a chronic disease of some form, “Evidence shows that almost a third of these cases could be prevented by removing exposure to risk factors such as smoking, being overweight, alcohol use and physical inactivity,” Bell added.

Source: Pharmacydaily.com.au, Monday 25 July 2016