Complementing resource mapping: Barriers to community resource mobilisation for health equity

Community asset mapping is a valuable health promotion approach; however, its impact depends on how resources are mobilised and used in practice. Mapping alone does not ensure accessibility or effective use. Advancing equity requires understanding how different groups engage with available resources and addressing structural barriers that limit their use. This study assesses mobilisation of community resources and identifies barriers to their equitable use. In 2025, a cross-sectional study (n = 602) was conducted in Elche, Spain, using a representative quota sample (age, sex, immigration status). A newly developed survey tool assessed recognition and use (mobilisation) of community resources across seven categories (natural, social, cultural, built, political, human, and financial). Analyses assessed frequency and disparities in mobilisation and examined barriers associated with infrequent or no use. Findings show uneven mobilisation across resource categories, with natural resources most frequently mobilised (55%), while political (6.8%) and financial (9.5%) resources were rarely used. Approximately one in three participants (34%; n = 207) reported no mobilisation across any category. Family/caregiving (25%) and work-related barriers (26%) were prominent, with clear gender differences: women were more likely to report caregiving (PR = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.29–2.29), while men more often reported work constraints (PR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.15–2.00). Informational and procedural barriers (33–35%) limited mobilisation of economic and political capital, with administrative complexity more frequently reported by migrants (PR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.11–2.98). Employment status and ethnicity were also associated with barriers to resource mobilisation. Uneven mobilisation and structural barriers limit the conversion of community resources into usable assets. Addressing structural, gendered and socioeconomic constraints is key for equitable mobilisation.

Key messages

• Resources alone do not ensure equity; structural barriers shape their use. Gender gaps highlight the need for interventions addressing caring responsibilities and supporting work–life balance.

• Assessing resource mobilisation using population-based data can strengthen evidence to guide equitable health policies and interventions.