GSCF Statement At The 75th Session of The WHO Regional Committee Meeting For Europe On Healthy Ageing

GSCF Statement Value of Self-Care

30 October 2025 | Alix Marchal

30 OCTOBER 2025 – COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

Organization Name: Global Self-Care Federation (GSCF)

Agenda Item: Ageing is living: a strategy for promoting a lifetime of health and well-being in the WHO European Region 2026–2030, EUR/RC75/19

Delivered by: Luis Rhodes Baiao, Official GSCF Representative at WHO EURO Regional Committee

Chair, distinguished delegates, colleagues,

The Association of the European Self-Care Industry (AESGP), speaking also on behalf of the Global Self-Care Federation (GSCF), welcomes the opportunity to contribute to this important discussion on the new strategy “Ageing is Living”.

We commend WHO Europe for recognizing that healthy ageing begins long before older age — through prevention, empowerment, and the environments that enable people to manage their health throughout life. We particularly welcome the strategy’s twin-track approach, linking lifelong prevention with dignified, person-centered care for older adults.

As the self-care sector, we believe this vision aligns closely with our mission: to enable people to take informed, responsible action for their own health and well-being, in partnership with health professionals and systems. Promoting self-care literacy, digital inclusion, and access to trusted, evidence-based health information can strengthen both prevention and resilience — core priorities of this strategy.

GSCF and AESGP are committed to work with the WHO European Region and Member States to advance three key enablers:

Empowering individuals and communities through health literacy and equitable access to self-care tools across all ages.
Supporting innovation and digital transformation, ensuring technologies and self-care solutions are inclusive, age-friendly, and enhance autonomy.
Building partnerships across sectors, combining the strengths of public health, civil society, and responsible industry to create environments where everyone can age with dignity and purpose.

Healthy ageing is not only about adding years to life — it’s about adding life to years. By embedding self-care as a cornerstone of prevention and everyday health management, we can help ensure that “ageing is living” becomes a reality for all generations in Europe and beyond.

Thank you, Chair.