{
  "abstract": "Self-care interventions for sexual and reproductive health (SRH), including HIV self-testing, self-injected contraception and self-managed abortion, offer promising pathways to advance universal health coverage, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. While often framed as cost-saving measures, this paper argues that self-care should be understood as a strategic investment in health system performance. Drawing on costing and financing analyses and previous literature, we explore how self-care interventions can enhance efficiency, resilience and equity of health systems. We propose a costing framework that outlines cost components across development, implementation and scale-up, emphasising both system and individual-level considerations. We argue that sustainable scale-up of self-care requires diversified financing models, including tax-based funding, insurance mechanisms and reduced out-of-pocket costs for users. Successful integration also demands governance structures that prioritise quality, equity and continuity of care. By reframing self-care as a health system investment rather than a cost-containment tool, policymakers can better harness its potential to improve access, reduce burden on facilities and empower individuals in managing their health. Self-care interventions for SRH, when embedded within broader health system strengthening efforts, have the potential to be transformative for SRH outcomes and for progressing towards universal health coverage.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Social Medicine and Global Health, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden",
        "Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division (HEARD), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KZN, South Africa"
      ],
      "name": "Jesper Sundewall"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Social Medicine and Global Health, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden",
        "Division of Clinical Epidemiology, University of Basel, Basel, BS, Switzerland"
      ],
      "name": "Andrea Williams"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division (HEARD), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KZN, South Africa"
      ],
      "name": "Michael Strauss"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Social Medicine and Global Health, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden",
        "Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division (HEARD), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KZN, South Africa"
      ],
      "name": "Gavin George"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Self-care interventions for sexual and reproductive health: a strategic health systems investment",
  "uid": "832fa33c-47a8-58d9-a532-bedb578ae76d"
}