Key theoretical distinctions in community-based health interventions

The move to community-based practice is often accompanied by doubts about the veracity of the research or clinical data that might be generated. Critics contend that the introduction of subjectivity that accompanies this maneuver obscures the empirical side of social existence, and thus compromises the discovery of facts. But this erroneous conclusion rests on confusion about several key philosophical distinctions that are discussed in this paper. The clarification that results from addressing these issues enhances the utility of community-based health strategies.