There are different definitions of community. People may see themselves as belonging to more than one community - religious, economic and national, for example. Some may feel that geographical location is most important, for example in village communities. In every case, the communities are not homogeneous. This means that consultation and cooperation are required to deal with conflict and improve health and welfare equitably. Participation of community members should not be imposed from outside - sharing within a community is needed.

References

Al Khayat MH, Health an Islamic Perspective The Right Path to Health series No 4, WHO EMRO 1997 page 18

Coote A, 1993, Public participation in decisions about health care, Critical Public Health, vol 4 no 1 pp36-48.

Zakus JDL & Lysack CL, 1998, Revisiting community participation, Health Policy and Planning, vol 13 no 1 p 1-12.