Community matters: using community-centred approaches for health equity

This presentation will start with the premise that communities matter for health and that community-level action is a critical element within system-wide approaches to reduce health inequities. The question is how to translate an aspiration for greater community involvement into practical interventions that make a positive difference in communities experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage or marginalisation.

Drawing on evidence-based frameworks developed in the UK, the presentation will give an overview of how community-centred approaches can be applied in local health systems and what outcomes result. Some examples from local programmes will be given to illustrate knowledge into health promotion practice. The emphasis of community-based interventions is often on developmental, relational activity in specific contexts. This ‘messiness’ can create challenges in the world of health policy where neat, quick fixes are valued.