Exploring the Impact of Delivering Allergy Medication as Self-Care on Healthcare Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the United Kingdom

INTRODUCTION: The National Health Service is responsible for 4% of total greenhouse gas emissions in England and is committed to net zero carbon emissions and reduced carbon-intensive care practices. Self-treatable diseases represent significant avoidable healthcare resource utilisation, and the socio-economic value of self-care has been documented-self-care practices globally deliver savings of approximately $120 billion for healthcare systems and almost 41 billion productive days, gaining 22 million quality-adjusted life years each year. However, the impact on greenhouse gas emissions is poorly defined. This analysis investigated the effect of self-care on greenhouse gas emissions of the healthcare system in the UK, with a focus on self-care for allergies. METHODS: Three scenarios were used to evaluate the potential impact on greenhouse gas emissions of the substitution of all self-treatable healthcare visits by over-the-counter and self-care medication, and the potential and current impact of self-care medication was explored for allergic rhinitis. Scenario 1 evaluated the impact of self-care, if used for all self-treatable diseases. Scenario 2 and scenario 3 focused on, respectively, the use of self-care for the treatment of allergic rhinitis today and the potential future value if all eligible medication for allergic rhinitis was obtained over-the-counter. Avoidable greenhouse gas emissions were based on avoided primary care consultations and accident and emergency visits. RESULTS: eq (scenario 3). These reductions represent approximately 8-16% (scenario 1), 1-4% (scenario 2), and 0.5-1% (scenario 3) of total National Health Service carbon emissions. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the environmental aspect of the triple value of self-care (social, economic, and environmental), by showcasing how self-care can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the healthcare system in the UK.