Promoting Well-Being by Showing the Path to a Healthier, More Vibrant Lifestyle
Empowering Health through Self-Care since 2011
At the International Self-Care Foundation, we believe that self-care is not just an option but a fundamental pillar of overall health. Established in 2011, our nonprofit organization is committed to promoting self-care as an essential component of wellbeing.
The Seven Pillars of Self-Care
Following the seven pillars of self-care leads to improved health, significant savings in healthcare costs, and enhanced productivity. Our mission is to educate and empower individuals to embrace these principles in their daily lives.
ISF and SCARU have teamed up to provide a comprehensive self-care app to support your own efforts.
You can download the free App HERE
ISF Facebook Posts
Obituary: Dr David Edward Webber OBE (1951-2026)![]()
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Dr David Edward Webber passed away peacefully on Sunday 12 April 2026, surrounded by his loving family after a period of illness, having faced cancer with quiet strength. He was 74.![]()
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Dr Webber was a pioneering figure in global self-care & a founding member of the Self-Care Academic Research Unit (SCARU). His work fundamentally shaped how self-care is understood, conceptualised and advanced across health systems, policy & academia.![]()
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He was the founder and long-serving President of the International Self-Care Foundation (ISF) established in 2014 to champion a more holistic, person-centred approach to health. Through this work, he became one of the foremost global advocates for integrating self-care into public health strategy, prevention & everyday life.![]()
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Among his most influential contributions was the development of the widely adopted “Seven Pillars of Self-Care” framework, which provided the first comprehensive articulation of self-care as a multidimensional construct. This framework has been translated into various languages & used internationally by governments, academic institutions & global health organisations. The framework was also the foundation of the Self-Care Matrix, a unifying framework for self-care, which he co-authored.![]()
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Dr Webber also founded #InternationalSelfCareDay 27/7 (24 July), now recognised worldwide as a focal point for promoting responsible #selfcare. His efforts helped elevate self-care within the agendas of organisations such as the World Health Organization & the United Nations, contributing to a broader shift toward prevention & individual empowerment in health.![]()
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At Imperial College London, he played a central role in the establishment of SCARU, the first academic research unit dedicated to the scientific study of self-care. As an Honorary Research Fellow, he contributed to advancing self-care as a legitimate & necessary academic discipline, bridging policy, research & practice. Beyond his formal achievements, Dr Webber held several senior roles including previous Director General of the Global Self-Care Federation. ![]()
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He was widely respected for his intellectual generosity, humility & ability to connect people and ideas across disciplines & sectors. His contributions were recognised at the highest level, including his appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), with the investiture conducted by HRH The Princess Royal in February 2024. ![]()
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To many, he was more than a colleague. He was a mentor, a guide and an enduring source of insight and encouragement. His influence extended beyond his global work through the individuals & communities he supported along the way. David leaves behind a lasting legacy in global health. His vision helped reposition self-care from a peripheral concept to a central pillar of sustainable healthcare systems.![]()
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He will be deeply missed by his family, colleagues & the international community he helped to build.
Some great #selfcare advice. What better time to get the message out than #WorldHealthDay. the #sevenpillarsofselfcare are fundamental to improving health for all.
Physical activity is one of the #sevenpillarsofselfcare and staying active has a multitude of #selfcare benefits from cardiovascular to bone strength and avoiding non communicable diseases like diabetes. It doesn’t need to be difficult as Harvard Health notes.
Happy #WorldOralHealthDay! Keeping our mouths healthy is great #selfcare and helps prevent a number of noncommunicable diseases. learn more here: ow.ly/czpQ50Yx05y #sevenpillarsofselfcare
Adequate rest and sleep are critical to good health. That’s when our bodies can repair and recover from daily stresses. It’s good physical and mental wellbeing and al a part of #selfcare. #sevenpillarsofselfcare #WorldSleepDay