The WHO Kobe Centre (WKC) launches a report about Community-Based Social Innovations (CBSIs)
The WKC is pleased to announce the publication of its report about CBSIs for Healthy Ageing, including 10 country case studies in Chile, China, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Lebanon, Russian Federation, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Ukraine and Viet Nam.
The ten case studies define CBSIs as community initiatives that empower older people to improve self-care, maintain well-being and promote social cohesion. The study demonstrates that the main health benefits are psycho-social --for example, the integration of socially isolated older people into their communities. CBSIs can also empower people in deciding about health and social care options. Lastly, CBSIs empower informal carers –many of whom are women.
The study reports several challenges. Many CBSIs rely on volunteers. They are often not funded in a sustainable way. Linkages from the community to the formal health and social care systems are often limited.
‘Community-based innovations, should not mean that communities and families are alone to find solutions. Formal linkages with the health sector are essential.
WKC’s future research in this area will emphasize innovations in community-based service delivery, with an aim to assess generalizability and scale-up.
For more details, please visit the CBSI project page.