Community engagement to promote health and reduce inequalities in Spain: a narrative systematic review

Over the past decade, increasing attention has been paid to community engagement in health (CEH) across Europe. This study aimed to identify and review CEH interventions to promote health and reduce inequalities within the Spanish context and the key facilitators for these community processes.

A systematic search in six databases, followed by a forward citation search, was conducted to identify implementation literature on CEH in Spain. Articles were included when engagement occurred in at least two stages of the interventions and was not limited to information or consultation of stakeholders.

A total of 2023 results were identified; 50 articles were reviewed full text. Five articles were finally selected for inclusion. Data were extracted on various factors including details of the interventions, results achieved, stakeholders involved and their relationships. A narrative synthesis was performed to present results and support the discussion.

Three main points are discussed: the role of professionals and citizens in CEH interventions, providing training to enable a reorientation towards a CEH practice and the relevance of contexts as enablers for community engagement processes to thrive.