Application of 'futures' in the community-level health promotion with special reference to Latin America.
Health promotion strategies are built upon the notion of creating healthy communities who are participating in taking a greater control over their own destinies. Social participation has a long tradition in Latin America and current movements to strengthen this are represented in the municipios saludables. Innovative frameworks for community involvement draw on the work developed in the 'futures' field, harnessing collaboration between communities and policy makers in order to formulate visions of health which empower communities. This article explores the methodologies used by futurists and their potential and application in the Latin American context, and in particular, it illustrates the work by the Pan American Health Organization aimed at improving the health condition of the various communities in the region.
Puentes-Markides
C
C
PAHO/WHO, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
Garrett
M J
MJ
D018672:Community Health Planning; D003256:Community Participation; D003657:Decision Making; D005544:Forecasting; D006292:Health Priorities; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007843:Latin America; D010175:Pan American Health Organization; D011050:Policy Making; D011320:Primary Health Care