MAPS OF ASSETS FOR HEALTH. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND CONCEPTUAL.

Abstract

In recent years there has been a shift in the approach to health from a deficit model to a model based on assets for health. This model proposes that people actively promote their well-being, esteem and health by drawing on their capacities, skills, talents and positive solutions.

A community asset map is an inventory of the talents, skills and capacities of the residents in a community. We want to emphasise that an asset map for health cannot be understood as a oneoff action or an end in itself. A key aspect of asset mapping is to ask the following questions at the beginning of the process: why? and what for? An asset map for health makes sense when it is done as part of a process with real community participation. It is very interesting to use the knowledge, resources, skills and talents of people and their associations to revitalise relationships, redesign communities and harness collective potential. The end of an asset map is action.