Principles of Community Engagement.

This document is a guide for understanding the principles of community engagement needed for developing and implementing a plan of action involving communities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies key principles of community engagement for public health professionals and community leaders interested in engaging the community in health decision-making and action. This publication consists of 3 parts: Part 1 - defines concepts of community and community engagement, and looks at why these are important in decision-making and action for health promotion and disease prevention; Part 2 - summarizes key principles of community engagement; Part 3 - links these principles to aspects of the community engagement process. A series of case examples, taken from real-life experiences, link these principles to the major components of the community engagement process. This document can be used to improve communication, promote a common understanding, and strengthen community partnerships to fulfill shared public health goals. Information can be used by public health professionals and community leaders to guide community involvement in activities that affect change or change health-related behaviors, including needs and asset assessment, planning, resource allocation, advocacy, outreach, program development, implementation and evaluation. Community involvement and collaborations are the cornerstones of public health action. A continuing need exists to broaden the understanding of the key principles that underlie successful community engagement in public health.