Occupational and environmental medicine in Colombia

Colombia is a country rich in natural resources, with a steadily developing economy. Occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) education and pract ice have developed relatively recently in Colombia, mainly in response to a series of long overdue land still partially implemented) reforms to the he alth care, social benefits, and education systems. Expansion in general and occupational health coverage of the Colombian population and development o f OEM education and training were to be achieved through a clear stimulus t o private sector initiatives. Despite some measurable overall progress, the goals remain elusive. This article discusses several aspects and the persp ectives for further development of the specialty in this country, in the co ntext of the socioeconomic factors involved in that process.