Learning How to Do Community Engagement Correctly

Public health professionals aim to protect and improve community health, but face challenges in building trust and enacting change despite extensive research on the benefits of community engagement. The CDC's Committee for Community Engagement, established in 1995, seeks to connect public health officials with underserved communities to build trust and create sustainable health solutions. However, current efforts often fall short due to inadequate collaboration and understanding of community needs. Learning from the disability community's effective community-building practices, public health can enhance engagement by adopting principles of Disability Justice such as Sustainability, Cross-Disability Solidarity, Collective Access, and Collective Liberation. These principles emphasize long-term, inclusive, and collective approaches, advocating for sustainable health plans and fostering trust through shared decision-making. By co-creating health plans with communities and addressing past injustices, public health officials can achieve more equitable and lasting health outcomes.