[Lights and shadows in the implementation of community action for health].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences of individuals who develop projects and interventions where community participation-action constitutes a strategic tool for reducing health inequalities.

METHOD: Qualitative study based on semi-structured, in-depth online interviews with individuals considered experts in the development of health promotion strategies involving community participation. A total of 12 individuals from the healthcare, social healthcare, academic, and associative backgrounds were selected. The texts were analyzed following the thematic content analysis approach.

RESULTS: The prominent strength of the processes involving the interviewed individuals is their participatory approach. However, there is no genuine commitment to promoting community participation from primary healthcare, and precarity has been identified as a significant weakness in the development of participatory health promotion projects. The sustainability of participatory processes relies on the transfer of knowledge to the community and their empowerment.

CONCLUSIONS: Participatory processes have demonstrated their ability to reposition the community as an essential part of the healthcare system. It would be interesting to use a measurement tool for participation in all community health actions, both to guide their design and planning and to assess the depth of participation and its impact on the process. Enhancing community action expectations for health in the near future involves promoting a community-oriented approach in primary care and intersectoral collaboration, which requires a significant institutional and policy commitment.