What does "empowerment" mean in the context of community health?

Empowerment in community health refers to enabling individuals to take control of their own health and well-being. This concept emphasizes not just information dissemination, but also fostering skills and confidence within community members so they can make informed decisions about their health and advocate for themselves. By promoting individuals' abilities, health empowerment encourages active participation in health-related decisions, which leads to better health outcomes.

The approach contrasts sharply with top-down methods of health management, which may not involve community input or personal responsibility. Furthermore, having administrative control over health decisions does not empower individuals and may lead to a disconnect between the administration and community needs. Lastly, reliance solely on healthcare professionals undermines individual autonomy and does not foster a sense of ownership over one’s health. Empowerment aims for a more collaborative and supportive framework in health management.