Abstract

This research addresses the needs for creating realistic health care assessment methodologies. The information
acquired from health care assessments shape the policies which will ultimately sustain communities. Health care
assessment tools and methods dictate the priorities of community health care. These priorities assist with the
development of community health care research, the exploration of community based need initiatives and the
design of pertinent policies which meet the demands of community health care. Community health assessment
involves people and allows them to express their views, which leads to more self esteem, particularly in
disadvantaged communities. Participatory community health care research relates to the continuity of the
economic, social, institutional and environmental aspects of human society, as well as the non-human
environment in which our communities thrive. This research will review the current literature pertinent to
participatory action research. Additionally, this research will address the advantages, disadvantages and the
ethical issues of participatory action research methods. Selected case studies are used to explain community
based models which have identified necessary strategies which have been utilized to articulate and assist current
community health issues in specified populations.

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