title: [Toward a national plan to control health effects of mercury in Colombia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The problem of mercury effects on humans and the environment is global, and it has different impacts on health. It is necessary, therefore, to address this issue from a broad overview to identify populations at risk of exposure, health effects, the production processes involved and the actions aimed at reducing exposure and mitigating the impact.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To design a conceptual and operational framework to develop strategies for prevention, control and mitigation of mercury effects on health and on the environment in Colombia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a two-phase study: a literature review following the Cochrane methodology and forums with national and international experts using a comprehensive planning methodology to identify priority actions and establish a national research agenda.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the review were structured into four components: mercury effects on health, legal framework in Colombia, emission inventory for the country and health plans and programs. We made recommendations for the design of an intervention plan considering five lines of action: technologies for exposure management, institutional strengthening for exposure prevention and control, strategies for strengthening diagnosis and care, health education on mercury risks, and knowledge generation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We detected information gaps, technical weaknesses, and the need of administrative and other resources in this field in Colombia. We proposed priority actions to reduce the economic, social and health impact from exposure to mercury.
authors.affiliation: Escuela de Rehabilitación Humana, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
authors.forename: Isabel Cristina
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Casas
authors.affiliation: Área de Salud, Fundación FES, Cali, Colombia.
authors.forename: Elidier
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.affiliation: Área de Salud, Fundación FES, Cali, Colombia.
authors.forename: Lina María
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: Escuela de Rehabilitación Humana, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
authors.forename: Sandra Lorena
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Girón
authors.affiliation: Área de Salud, Fundación FES, Cali, Colombia.
authors.forename: Julio César
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Mateus
mesh_terms: D003105:Colombia; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008628:Mercury / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D008628:Mercury