Surgeon General C. Everett Koop's Workshop on Self-Help and Public Health defined self-help groups as “Self-governing groups whose members share a common health concern and give each other emotional support and material aid, charge either no fee or only a small fee for membership, and place a high value on experiential knowledge … such groups may also be involved in information, education, material aid, and social advocacy in their communities” (Surgeon General's Workshop 1990, p. [Source: Encyclopedia of Community: From the Village to the Virtual World; Twelve Step Groups]
twelve step groups
instrumental communities
affinity communities
concepts