Strong community engagement is essential for building trust in the health system, increasing demand for services, and ensuring accountability in health service delivery. When communities are actively involved in shaping and monitoring their health services, they become key partners in strengthening the health system and sustaining high-impact practices in maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH).

Effective demand generation strategies empower individuals and families with the knowledge and confidence to seek timely, high-quality care. Community health workers (CHWs), social and behavior change interventions, and locally driven advocacy efforts play a critical role in increasing awareness and uptake of essential health services. At the same time, community-based accountability mechanisms – such as health facility scorecards, citizen feedback platforms, and participatory governance – ensure that services remain responsive to local needs.

Households are not just consumers of health services but also producers of their own health. Promoting positive health behaviors, such as proper nutrition, hygiene, and birth preparedness, strengthens individual and community resilience. This section of the HSS toolkit provides practical strategies, tools, and case studies to support meaningful community engagement. By fostering a culture of shared responsibility, health systems can enhance service utilization, improve health outcomes, and drive sustainable impact at scale.