We ascribe to the 1996 statement of the National Policy Task Force, Community-Based Public Health:

Community lies at the heart of public health… interventions work best when they are rooted in values, knowledge, expertise, and interests of the community itself… health encompasses the physical, mental, spiritual, environmental, and economic well-being of a community and its members.

We recognize the power of equal partnerships, including community-based organizations, academic institutions, and health agencies addressing health issues of the community

We understand that in order for these partnerships to be equal and for interventions to be community-based, community members must participate fully in the identification of health issues and the selection, design, implementation, and evaluation of programs that address them.