Community Mobilization: Pathway to Positive Health

Success in improving health depends on specific efforts to promote appropriate behaviors and not just on the introduction of new drugs and technologies. Community mobilization is “the process by which community groups are helped to identify common problems or goals, mobilize resources and develop and implement strategies for reaching their goals.” Because communities are embedded in wider social and political contexts, the process is also called “social mobilization” to acknowledge that all levels of influence, including public policy, can be involved. Community mobilization requires the active participation of community members to assess health risks and take action to reduce them. Empowerment of community members is a key component of the process of creating an environment for change. Community-levels analyze how social systems function and therefore how communities, organizations that serve them, and policymakers who have power over them can be mobilized for change. Mobilizing a community for healthy change involves tapping into social networks, helping stakeholders identify common health goals, and building on the strengths of cultural values rather than radically departing from them. Communities have a responsibility to promote the wellness of their citizens by creating physical and social environments that make it easier for individuals to make healthier choices and provides them with the opportunities and tools to assume responsibility for their own wellness.