Community-based health planning in Hungary

Abstract

The small town planning model presented in this paper places communities at the center of the whole process of health planning. The essence of the model is to 'empower' the members of a given communityto improve their quality of life and thus their health at a proper pace and extent in accordance with their own development. Along with the health planning methodology developed twenty years ago, a number of applications were announced for which the representatives of Hungarian settlements received theoretical frameworks and practical handles for the preparation of health plans. The members of local communities created and implemented action programs applying community planning tools based on local needs. The design process that builds on the community's capabilities, culture, over and above motivation and active participation of its members is the key to the sustainability of health plans, just as the publicity of all phases of the health planning process. During the planning and implementation process that actively involved members of the community, a social practice has emerged that encouraged new forms of community participation rather than the former paternalist approach.