[Models of community participation in health programs]

Study of some Latin American experiences of community participation in health programs permit consideration of the following as minimum requirements for the establishment of interrelationships between local health agencies and the community: a local health system; a participating health team; respect for the community; contact with community organizations; and contact with private and governmental organizations at a local level. The models for community participation in health are manifold and the experiences have been countless. For teaching purposes and based on Latin American experiences several considerations are made regarding: community health volunteers; local health councils; local councils for community development; and health brigades. Finally, it is stressed that active and organized community participation in health activities is the best guarantee of success in implementing integral health programs.