III 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 515 

Designating July 24, 2014, as ‘‘International Self-Care Day’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JULY 23, 2014 

Mr. CASEY (for himself and Mr. ROBERTS) submitted the following resolution; 

which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Designating July 24, 2014, as ‘‘International Self-Care 

Day’’. 

Whereas chronic diseases impose high costs in the United 

States in the forms of human capital, medical expenditures, and economic productivity; 

Whereas chronic diseases are the leading cause of disability 

and death in the United States, and chronic diseases account for 7 out of 10 deaths in the United States; 

Whereas approximately 25 percent of individuals with a 

chronic disease have some limitation on daily living activities and may be restricted from working or attending 

school; 

Whereas chronic diseases account for $3 of every $4 spent on 

health care in the United States, including— 


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•SRES 515 ATS 

(1) $432,000,000,000 spent annually on heart disease and stroke; 

(2) $174,000,000,000 spent annually on diabetes; 

(3) $154,000,000,000 spent annually on lung disease; and 

(4) $148,000,000,000 spent annually on Alzheimer’s 

Disease; 

Whereas the adoption of proactive healthy behaviors and lifestyles by individuals will materially reduce the burden of 

chronic diseases in the United States; 

Whereas it is not possible to meet the enormous challenges 

presented by chronic diseases, the aging of the population, and other demographic changes without engaging 

individuals to be active participants in maintaining their 

health and well-being; 

Whereas self-care can reduce the human and economic costs 

of chronic diseases, help individuals achieve better overall 

health, and prevent or delay many diseases; 

Whereas self-care includes simple actions that individuals can 

take for themselves and their families to stay healthy, 

treat minor illnesses, and prevent or manage long-term 

conditions; 

Whereas self-care entails a lifelong habit and culture of— 

(1) making healthy lifestyle choices on a daily basis; 

(2) practicing good hygiene to prevent infection and 

illness; 

(3) avoiding unhealthy and risky actions; 

(4) monitoring for signs and symptoms of changes 

in health; 

(5) taking care of minor ailments; and 


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(6) knowing when to consult a doctor, pharmacist, 

or other health care professional; 

Whereas individuals need greater access to tools that enable 

better self-care, including those that improve health literacy, promote good nutrition and overall wellness, facilitate physical activity, and prevent and manage chronic 

diseases; 

Whereas over-the-counter medicines (commonly known as 

‘‘self-care medicines’’ in other regions of the world) are 

some of the most important self-care tools, and help individuals improve wellness, treat everyday ailments, and 

prevent chronic diseases; 

Whereas every $1 spent on over-the-counter medicines in the 

United States each year saves the health care system in 

the United States $6 to $7, accounting for 

$102,000,000,000 in annual savings relative to treatment 

alternatives; 

Whereas self-care and the responsible use of over-the-counter 

medicines can help individuals avoid unnecessary visits to 

health care professionals, easing the burden on those 

health care professionals; 

Whereas self-care empowers individuals with higher self-esteem, improves wellness, and reduces the use of health 

care services; 

Whereas individuals in the United States have not sufficiently 

taken advantage of the potential of self-care to improve 

health, reduce the burden of chronic disease, and 

strengthen the sustainability of the health care system in 

the United States; and 


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Whereas achieving the full potential of self-care is the shared 

responsibility of consumers, policymakers, regulators, and 

health care professionals: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates July 24, 2014, as ‘‘International 

3 Self-Care Day’’; 

4 (2) recognizes the importance of improving 

5 awareness of self-care and the value self-care rep6 resents for the people of the United States; 

7 (3) encourages patients, government officials, 

8 health care professionals, manufacturers and pro9 viders of medical products, and the media to use 

10 ‘‘International Self-Care Day’’ to highlight the bene11 fits of self-care; and 

12 (4) acknowledges that ‘‘International Self-Care 

13 Day’’ is recognized by health care organizations and 

14 parties with an interest in health care around the 

15 world. 

Æ 


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