Emerging from more than 35 years of work in health anthropology/ ethnography in the U.S. and abroad, the CEHC builds on other models for planning, implementing, and evaluating CBIs (e.g., PRECEDE-PROCEED, Social Ecology), but is unique in several ways.

• The CEHC uses conceptual paradigms based on theories of culture. These address the complexities of the socio-cultural contexts, processes, and meaning systems which influence individual ideas and behaviors, including health related behaviors, and should therefore be considered in the design, implementation, and evaluation of community-based initiatives (CBIs).

• The CEHC, loyal to its roots in ethnography, is committed to community participation, but also attempts to provide some methodological standardization to its programs.

• The CEHC is made up of four interrelated subsystems each with multiple programs that integrate community assessment research, and strategies of CBI design, implementation, and evaluation.

• The CEHC is committed to the transfer of knowledge through: training programs, workshops, and intensive short courses; and through Program Technical Manuals and Workbooks that are designed to transfer knowledge and skills community-based groups.

Read more about the Conceptual Paradigms and CEHC Systems in Programs Implementation.