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Chapter 11 - Role and Contribution of the Community in Health System Strengthening

from Section 1 - Analyzing Health Systems: Concepts, Components, Performance

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 December 2022

By
Amirhossein Takian ,
Haniye Sadat Sajadi ,
Naima Nasir  and
Katherine Rouleau
Edited by
Sameen Siddiqi ,
Awad Mataria ,
Katherine D. Rouleau  and
Meesha Iqbal
Sameen Siddiqi
Affiliation:
Aga Khan University
Awad Mataria
Affiliation:
World Health Organization, Egypt
Katherine D. Rouleau
Affiliation:
University of Toronto
Meesha Iqbal
Affiliation:
UTHealth School of Public Health, Houston
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Summary

Communities are integral parts of health systems and their engagement in defining health needs, priorities, solutions and in the delivery of services is essential to improving health and well-being. All communities, regardless of how they are defined, include individuals or sub-groups who, for a host of reasons are disadvantaged and experience a disproportionate burden of ill health. Identifying and engaging them is both essential and challenging, and should be prioritized. Communities interface with the health system with varying degrees of engagement ranging from passively receiving information at one end of the spectrum to actively engaging in decision making through mutually accountable relationships at the other. This chapter explores the concepts of community and community engagement and consider their role in health systems. It examines the concept of health, the changing health needs of communities and the influence of community in defining health issues and informing solutions, including the delivery of services. Finally, the chapter discusses the modalities of community engagement for health systems, particularly within low- and middle-income countries (L&MICs).

Keywords

CommunityCommunity engagementParticipationParticipatory governanceEmpowermentDemandAccountabilityModalities of community engagementL&MIC
Type
Chapter
Information
Making Health Systems Work in Low and Middle Income Countries
Textbook for Public Health Practitioners
 , pp. 156 - 170
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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