[Facing the challenge... Towards a National Program of Adolescence Health Care in Mexico, 2001-2006]

To present the process in the design, development and implementation of Mexico's National Adolescent Health Program.

In efforts to arrive at a consensus regarding the health care priorities for Mexico's adolescent population, 37 public and private institutions dedicated to adolescent health care and social issues were invited to participate in a strategic analysis regarding a joint action plan for health promotion in adolescents with special emphasis on resilience as protective factor. The definition of the action plan involved the participation of 190 health professionals responsible for child and adolescent health programs in the discussion and drafting of the National Health Program.

The steps and issues discussed by the 37 participating institutions leading to the development of the National Health Plan are reviewed.

The product of this exercise led to the elaboration of a consensus document that served as the framework for Mexico's National Adolescent Health Plan and that now serves 23.5 million adolescents between 10 and 19 years of age. This action plan was been reviewed by the World Health Organization, which cited Mexico as one of the eight model countries addressing adolescent health.