Mobilizing youth to implement health policy case study: Colombia

Colombia, South America's fourth largest country in area and third in population has been embarked since the late 1970s on a national programme reflecting the promotion of a highly positive health policy, an integral part of the national commitment to "change with equity". A key element of the policy's development, promotion and implementation has been the mobilization of youth, and through them their parents, as active educators and promoters of better health. The central thrust has been the empowerment of families to provide self-care and make more efficient use of the health services available to them.