COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND EMPOWERMENT IN PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARNERSHIPS FOR HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION

Abstract

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have emerged as significant vehicles for addressing complex health challenges by leveraging resources and expertise from both public and private sectors. In the realm of health promotion and disease prevention, PPPs foster innovative approaches, enhance efficiency, and extend the reach of interventions. Until now, insufficient attention has often been paid to meaningfully involving affected local communities throughout project design and implementation. A growing body of research indicates that prioritizing community inclusion from the outset is vital to maximizing benefits while minimizing risks. This paper examines the critical role of community participation and empowerment in PPPs for health promotion and disease prevention. It highlights the numerous advantages of active community engagement, including ensuring alignment with local needs, facilitating access to services, fostering ownership and sustainability, strengthening social capital, and enhancing accountability. Challenges such as power imbalances, resource constraints, communication gaps, and limited capacity are also explored. Case studies illustrate positive impacts of community-driven approaches while revealing areas for improvement. Strategies are proposed for enhancing participation, such as capacity building, transparent communication, participatory monitoring and evaluation, and equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms