Abstract
Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) is seen as a way of tackling the social determinants of health and reducing health inequalities. However, a better understanding of the mechanisms through which ABCD operates, and the environmental and relational conditions within which it is likely to be most effective, could increase its effectiveness at improving health and well-being and reducing inequalities. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with 25 people working in third sector and voluntary organizations to begin to improve understanding about ABCD approaches, how they are implemented, and how they are meeting the needs of disadvantaged populations. These individuals had local area knowledge of programs that follow an ABCD approach and which are currently running in the North West of England. The interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed. Four overarching themes gave insight into the principles and practices of ABCD: Relationships and trust as mechanisms for change, Reciprocity and connectivity: “people not services,” Accountability and reducing dependency, and A socially sustainable model. ABCD focuses on identifying and developing individual capabilities, relationships, engagement within communities, and outcomes that are meaningful to people and consistent with relationships and support that are reciprocal and acceptable. ABCD is likely to be most effective in supporting vulnerable people where building trust is mirrored by an institutional and relational environment that is trustworthy and facilitative of developing people’s capabilities.
Highlights
Disadvantaged populations have shorter life expectancies than their more affluent counterparts and are more likely to suffer from a number of long-term and potentially life-limiting illnesses and associated risk factors (Marmot, 2010; Marmot & Wilkinson, 1999)
There has been a resurgence of interest in asset-based community development (ABCD) in the context of global public health and in the United Kingdom where it is seen as a way to address growing concerns over
The following section will present these themes in relation to improving understanding about ABCD approaches and how they are reported to be meeting the needs of disadvantaged populations
Summary
Disadvantaged populations have shorter life expectancies than their more affluent counterparts and are more likely to suffer from a number of long-term and potentially life-limiting illnesses and associated risk factors (Marmot, 2010; Marmot & Wilkinson, 1999). A recent evidence review found there are many community development and empowerment models where health needs are identified by the community members who mobilize themselves into action (O’Mara-Eves et al, 2013). These models often aim to enhance mutual support and collective action and the review found there is evidence that they have a positive impact on outcomes, such as health behaviors and perceived social support (O’Mara-Eves et al., 2013). There is insufficient evidence to determine whether one particular model of community engagement is likely to be more effective than any other and there is insufficient evidence to test the effects on health inequalities (O’Mara-Eves et al, 2013).
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