Community wellness: a group empowerment model for rural America

Because answers to rural health problems no longer reside solely at the federal or state level, county Extension agents in Georgia are playing a pivotal role in helping communities empower themselves with the Community Wellness program. Community Wellness is a process-oriented program that encompasses community-based program planning; facilitates interventions based on an assessment of community-specific health needs; encourages empowerment of the community; and develops a community-wide support system. County Extension agents and other leaders serve as catalysts to bring together members of the community to identify health needs, develop strategies to solve problems, and implement solutions. Four case histories describe how this model has strengthened community infrastructure, developed human capital, and created rural leadership. A discussion of barriers to implementation and lessons learned follows.