Sharing Power: Principles for Community Participation in Health Promotion

Abstract

A literature search was conducted from which six principles were formulated, and these raise issues that health professionals and organisations should be considering when conducting health promotion activities. Some of the issues identified were that: there is strong evidence that involvement of community members in health promotion activities creates more effective outcomes; health professionals need to give up their authority and share their sources of power, knowledge and skills; health professionals need to accept the agenda set by the community and to take on roles that facilitate and mobilise community action; health professionals need to acquire the skills to facilitate effectively community participation; organisations should be committed to community participation and reflect this in the allocation of resources; community structures and values that inhibit or facilitate participation need to be identified; social trust is essential for community cooperation and mobilisation; and that community capacity should be developed and fostered.