»Health-Related Self-Help Movement in Germany«

The health-related self-help movement is important in Germany. In the context of a multi-level analysis different functionalities are to be observed: the coping-function of mutual help groups, the local role of the mutual logic (principle of reciprocity) of self-help groups and the health policy participation of the self-help organizations. Self-help groups and organizations are promoted by public financial support, not without ambivalences because of the conflict between autonomy and public control.