Community Services Supporting Health

Community services supporting health can be defined as the network of systems and structures that correspondingly facilitate their comprehensive design, implementation, and evaluation while [Page 218]assisting communities enhance the health and well-being of families. When these systems and structures are designed and maintained with a view toward meeting the needs of those that use them, an essential public health function can be attained on behalf of all families. Implicit in the existence of well-integrated systems and structures contributing not only to the health but also the well-being of families is the recognition that health promotion can help families lead healthier lives. This entry reviews the conditions needed to facilitate the emergence of a continuum of community services likely to enhance the health and well-being of ...