[Elimination of iodine deficiency: a challenge for the end of the century]

The purpose of this article is to review some essential elements that should be considered in the development of national and regional strategies for the prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders. Another objective is to analyze the current status of this deficiency, the criteria and parameters for evaluating the progress of control programs, and the political, legal, and institutional issues that must be borne in mind in order to reach the virtual elimination of iodine deficiency disorders in the present decade.