Community engagement is an approach to addressing health-related issues, promoting well-being, and taking action on the social determinants of health. It involves building relationships based on trust and working together to develop more effective health interventions, programs, services, and policies and to empower communities as key actors for health.

Through community engagement, individuals and communities are empowered to take an active role in their own health and participate in the decisions and structures that impact health and well-being. In this way, intentional engagement efforts help to unpack and address local issues and opportunities, identify and implement more effective grounds-up solutions, and leverage local resources and networks for sustaining health interventions and outcomes. The process is also essential in strengthening trust and respect between stakeholders, which is key to achieving positive and sustainable health outcomes.

In the Western Pacific Region, a sustained investment in community engagement is essential in working toward our For the Future vision of becoming the world’s healthiest and safest Region. This five-year strategy sets out four strategic priorities: 1) Health security; 2) Non-communicable diseases and ageing; 3) Climate change and health; and 4) Reaching the unreached. Achieving our future vision requires operational shifts, or new ways of thinking and working. Community engagement is a key process in this new way of thinking and working. It is based on a whole-of-society approach with people as the driving force.

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