The Covid crisis has brought personal health into sharp focus for billions of people worldwide, driving momentum across the consumer health space.
There’s no denying that health has been a major topic of conversation across the world for last two years. The pandemic has placed enormous pressure on global healthcare systems, many of which were already struggling to keep up with demand before 2020.
https://cintaahomecare.com/the-most-important-health-concerns-for-seniors/As the pandemic has evolved, the importance of robust everyday health and immunity has emerged. A New Hope Network survey carried out in the early weeks of the pandemic showed that 77% of respondents said their personal health was more important to them than it had been in 2019.
The pandemic also shed light on the fragility of many healthcare systems. Worldwide, healthcare costs as a percentage of national GDP are rising, according to World Bank data—and in the U.S., healthcare spending represented almost 17% of GDP in 2019. As for individuals’ focus on their own personal health, Bloomberg Intelligence Analyst Diana Rosero-Pena predicts that the increased sense of personal responsibility is here to stay.
“The pandemic made a lot of people think about how they’re treating their bodies, which is why there’s a good tailwind for the self-care segment as we go forward,” she says.
Self-care—defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider”—empowers people to take both proactive and reactive steps to protect their own health and well-being, using everything from nasal sprays to treat an allergy to supplements that help ensure the right intake of nutrients.
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The healthcare continuum
The last 30 months point to the need to consider the performance and long-term sustainability of such systems. Scaling healthier lifestyles and personal health practices into broader healthcare strategies is essential to designing more healthcare systems that are built to last.
The three leading causes of death worldwide are non-communicable diseases (NCDs): heart disease, stroke and lung disease. If more people took steps to manage their own health, like improving and supplementing their diets or making healthier lifestyle choices, the prevalence of these could decrease. Investing in self-care and preventative health solutions could help reduce the number of people suffering from NCDs and limit the number of people requiring care at the expensive end of the healthcare continuum, where doctors, hospitals and costly treatments are involved.
In late 2020, leading economies including the U.K., the U.S. and France ranked poorly in the Bloomberg Health-Efficiency Index, which tracks life expectancy and medical spending to determine which global healthcare systems have the best outcomes.
Research by the Global Self-Care Federation found that, in one-year, self-care saves $119 billion for individuals, healthcare systems and governments. Further adoption of self-care could save an additional $60 billion annually.
These data points indicate untapped potential how self-care is practiced in healthcare both in terms of economic value for national budgets and health outcomes for individuals.
Documenting that potential is one of the core objectives of the The Self-Care Readiness Index (SCRI). Launched in September 2021 by the Global Self-Care Federation in partnership with the World Health Organization, the SCRI found that the majority of healthcare providers globally say personal health practices are a vital tool in supporting patients. They cited improved health outcomes when patients can safely use appropriate OTC products as first-line treatments for minor ailments. In Thailand, for example, where household remedies and OTC medicines are widely used, 99% of healthcare professionals said self-care is a “core component” of their approach to patient management.
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Opportunities within self-care
With the emergence of apps and digital platforms in the health-tech space, individuals have more opportunities than ever before to take ownership of their health. Further, digital technologies have powered the potential of breakthroughs like precision health, which enables more individualized health treatment. Digital advancements have also led to big strides in the accuracy and efficiency of healthcare.
Bayer has responded to these trends by investing in this growing space; the company has invested in Ada Health, whose app platform harnesses AI technology to empower users to diagnose their health status, track their symptoms and monitor changes in their health. In 2020, Bayer acquired a majority stake in Care/of, a startup that delivers personalized health analysis and an individualized supplement regimen to consumers at home.
“The increasing importance of better personal health makes science-based self-care an attractive investment,” says Schipper. “Beyond its potential return, investing in self-care relieves strained healthcare systems and helps create a more sustainable model for the future.”
For Bayer, developing self-care is central to the company’s purpose: science for a better life. Particularly in the digital space, new scientific disciplines like individualized health monitoring point to the potential to transform care across the healthcare continuum, no matter if someone is managing their nutrient intake or managing a more serious condition like diabetes.
“With our Pharmaceuticals and Consumer Health divisions, we harness the power of digital to improve the way healthcare is practiced, with science-based technologies that put the health of patients and consumers at their center,” said Schipper.
Beyond an investment strategy, this purpose comes with a responsibility to the global population. Particularly in areas where access to healthcare is limited, self-care is a lifeline. At the start of this year, the company launched The Nutrient Gap Initiative with the goal of giving underserved communities access to vitamins and minerals. The consequences of vitamin and mineral deficiencies worsen over time, not only impacting individual health outcomes, but also exacerbating the cycle of poverty. The program aims to reach 50 million people per year by 2030—empowering them to take better ownership of their health, and alleviating pressure on local services.
“As the past year and a half has shown us, personal health is a critical topic with global consequences,” says Schipper. “The Nutrient Gap Initiative is a great example of the promise of self-care. Over time, improving health at the individual level can significantly improve the health of the world.”
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Putting Your Health in Your Hands
Putting Your Health in Your Hands
We live in an exciting era, where incredible advancements in healthcare are enabling more people to make more informed decisions about their everyday health. Humanity has never before had such an ability to care for ourselves—and others.
As technology rapidly advances, people are harnessing unprecedented opportunities to better manage their own health issues. New digital tools like apps, health trackers, and artificial intelligence (AI) platforms are making it increasingly possible for anyone to better understand their symptoms, be proactive about preventative care, and find the best self-care options. We think digital health is the future, which is why we’ve partnered with Ada Health to empower everyone to take charge of their personal health.
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The Forefront of a Personalized Health Revolution
We all have questions about our health. Now, it’s easier than ever to get answers. As an AI-based health assessment platform, Ada is designed to help people identify the right care at the right time, based on their individual health, risk factors and current symptoms. To provide valuable health information and guidance, this free app uses an advanced algorithm to prompt users with personalized questions to generate data-driven care options and recommendations for next steps.
Since 2016, more than 11 million people around the world have used Ada Health to complete more than 25 million personal health assessments, making it the most popular and highest-rated symptom assessment app worldwide. “One of the exciting frontiers in healthcare is giving people the right tools, information, advice and medicines to move from a reactive to a proactive approach to their own health,“ said David Evendon-Challis, chief scientific officer of Bayer’s Consumer Health division. “That’s why we were so drawn to partnering with Ada Health and why it is so exciting to see the first fruits of that partnership.”
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Individual Support for Individualized Care
Anyone can access Ada’s Intelligent symptoms assessment by downloading the app directly, or—for people in the U.S., U.K. or Germany—by using it online on the Aspirin, Aleve, Midol, Canesten and Iberogast websites.
We believe everyday health is a fundamental human right, which is why we’re passionate about pioneering new tools and resources that support personal health. By working with Ada Health to make these insights available directly on our product websites, more people can better understand and manage their own pain relief, digestive issues and intimate health.
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Pioneering New Possibilities for Global Health
Digital health is already changing lives for people around the world—and we’re only beginning to harness its potential. For Daniel Nathrath, CEO and Co-Founder of Ada Health, these technological advancements are expanding everyday access to better healthcare solutions across the globe. “More and more people are turning to digital health tools like Ada for personalized insights and actionable guidance—especially for problems that may at first glance seem insignificant or too intimate to talk about comfortably. We are proud to launch this pilot in partnership with Bayer to explore opportunities for people around the world to take more ownership of their health.”
By addressing challenges of stigma and accessibility, providing people with direct access to digital health solutions is leading to better outcomes while also building trust. Patricia Corsi, Chief Marketing & Digital Officer for Consumer Health, adds, “our shared goal is to enable anyone to take more ownership of their health via credible, science-based information delivered through products they know and can rely on.” This access to reliable insights and recommendations is already improving health outcomes around the globe. Because when we can harness new technologies to improve and encourage personal health, we all have a hand in building a healthier world.
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Protecting Heart Health
Heart attacks and strokes often come as a surprise. But with the help of decades of scientific innovation, we can help reduce the risk of these life-threatening emergencies.
Heart attack and stroke victims can’t help but feel shaken. These events frighten loved ones and put us in a position of uncertainty. In that moment, we turn to trusted and proven science for help.
Science tells us that heart attacks and ischemic strokes (the most common type of stroke, caused by a blood blockage in the brain) can be prevented, and when it comes to helping prevent these cardiovascular events, acetylsalicylic acid is the gold standard.
Bayer invented acetylsalicylic acid, the active ingredient in Aspirin™, more than 120 years ago. And clinical studies and cardiovascular professionals continue to celebrate its lifesaving benefits.
Usage guidelines for Aspirin™ vary from country-to-country. In more than 50 countries, low-dose regimens are approved by health authorities for preventing a first cardiovascular event (primary prevention) in appropriate patients.
Low-dose Aspirin™ is the established standard of care approved by regulatory authorities around the world to help prevent recurrent heart attacks and ischemic strokes (secondary prevention), including the United States. Aspirin™ is not appropriate for everyone, so be sure to talk to a doctor before you begin a regimen.
This time-tested drug can also help save lives if taken during a suspected heart attack. If you think you are having a heart attack, immediately call emergency services and chew or crush and swallow Aspirin™, as directed by a doctor.
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A Brief History of The Wonder Drug™
From the time acetylsalicylic acid was first synthesized in a pure and stable form in 1897 by Dr. Felix Hoffmann, Aspirin™ has remained an important medication for patients worldwide.
Because of its remarkable history, Aspirin™ is included in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington D.C., and the World Health Organization has included acetylsalicylic acid in their list of essential medicines. At the same time, acetylsalicylic acid continues to play a key role in modern research. Every year, acetylsalicylic acid is the subject of an estimated 1,500 published scientific studies.
Today, Aspirin™ is sold in over 140 countries, encompassing Aspirin™ Complex, Aspirin™ Plus C, and Aspirin™ Cardio.
When it comes to life-threatening cardiovascular emergencies, the world turns to the proven science of Aspirin™.
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How Self-care Helped Save my Life
I’ve always been healthy. It’s something I’ve prided myself on—but I’ve never really thought my life would depend on it. But a few years ago I faced a health crisis that I was able to overcome largely because I take care of myself in just about every way possible: I watch what I eat; I exercise almost daily; I don’t smoke; and I have low cholesterol and normal blood pressure.
I remember it like it was yesterday. On my way to work a few days after Christmas, my head started to feel like someone was chipping away at my skull with a jackhammer. So I popped a few pain pills and loaded up on caffeine. I had a busy day ahead of me, and I wasn’t going to let what eventually grew into the worst headache of my life keep me from crossing things off my to-do list. While I was determined to stay the course, I was struggling. My head was pounding. My stomach was upset. My vision was a little blurry. But I kept going.
Then, during a meeting with my boss, I lost my speech. Hearing myself, I paused, took a deep breath and started speaking again. For the first time since I was a little girl, I couldn’t string together a sentence. I took another pause, closed my eyes and took another deep breath. A few seconds later, my speech returned to normal. The experience was surreal, and it left me shaken up.
Stacy Quinn: “Knowing the symptoms of stroke isn’t complicated. In fact, there’s is an easy way to remember the most common symptoms of stroke. It’s called FAST. If you experience any one of these symptoms – facial droopiness, weakness or problems in an arm, slur your speech or have difficulty talking – don’t waste any time call for emergency medical help.”
Headaches Were Getting Stronger
At the time, I rationalized the incident as a side effect of the bad headache and stress. So I discounted the setback, got back to business and charged ahead through the headache. But it wasn’t stress.
Not even close. Ten days later after I had slurred speech in my boss’ office, the headache persisted and I finally got help. A neurologist in New York ordered an MRI that revealed one of the main arteries between my heart and brain had ruptured inside itself (carotid artery dissection), causing a 90% blockage of blood flow. That lack of blood flow sparked a transient ischemic attack (TIA), commonly called a mini-stroke.
I never thought stroke was something that could happen to me. In my case, I can’t connect the mini stroke to any of the risk factors. I just happen to be one of the 1 in 100,000 people who have this happen to them for no known cause.
If I hadn’t been fit and healthy, I would have likely had a full-blown stroke that could have left me with long-term health issues. I believe that my health kept me out of the operating room, helped me quickly return to most of my pre-stroke activities and reduced the blockage in my artery from 90% to 40%.
Anything can happen to anyone of us at any time. But I’m lucky. I had health on my side.
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CINTAA Elder care shares useful information regarding healthcare on weekly basis. The post is only for information purpose only. Please check with your health care professional before using this information. To keep yourself updated with many other health tips, stay with us. We provide certified caregivers for seniors at home. If you need any help regarding eldercare, please feel free to call us today at 561-963-1915.
