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Introduction <p>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&#xa0;billion for healthcare systems and almost 41&#xa0;billion productive days, gaining 22&#xa0;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.</p> Methods <p>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&#xa0;1 evaluated the impact of self-care, if used for all self-treatable diseases. Scenario&#xa0;2 and scenario&#xa0;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.</p> Results <p>Each scenario resulted in reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from 2030 to 3930&#xa0;kilo tons (kt) carbon dioxide equivalent (CO<sub>2</sub>eq) (scenario&#xa0;1), 330–1000&#xa0;kt CO<sub>2</sub>eq (scenario&#xa0;2), and 100–200&#xa0;kt CO<sub>2</sub>eq (scenario&#xa0;3). These reductions represent approximately 8–16% (scenario&#xa0;1), 1–4% (scenario&#xa0;2), and 0.5–1% (scenario&#xa0;3) of total National Health Service carbon emissions.</p> Conclusion <p>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.</p>

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

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月30日

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  • Patricia Pascual,
  • Amanda Caudwell,
  • Stephanie De Man,
  • Michael Lally,
  • Edouard Desrumaux,
  • Thierry Rigoine de Fougerolles,
  • Fiona Adshead

摘要

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

Each scenario resulted in reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from 2030 to 3930 kilo tons (kt) carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) (scenario 1), 330–1000 kt CO2eq (scenario 2), and 100–200 kt CO2eq (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.