HAVANA, Cuba.- The diagnosis and treatment of asthma, a condition affecting nearly one million citizens in Cuba, are at the spotlight of the 3rd Ibero-American Conference and the 7th National Congress on Allergies, taking place June 6 to 8 in Havana.

Experts from several countries will gather at the local Riviera Hotel to share the latest experiences on asthma, currently affecting some 300 million people in the world, according to the organizing committee of the events.

In recent statements to Granma newspaper, the president of the National Commission on Asthma with the Health Ministry, Doctor Juan Carlos Rodriguez, stressed the need for each patient to learn how to control this condition, which can be achieved with comprehensive treatment.

The doctor said that keeping appropriate body weight, a healthy diet, relevant education and other factors help achieve such control of asthma. Along with genetic heritage, asthma can also be caused by environmental factors, weather changes, respiratory infections, inappropriate diet, pregnancy, menopause, strong odors and others.

The conference will also address allergies for Primary Healthcare Attention and other specialties, as well as the development of pharmaceuticals, therapies and vaccines.

The event’s agenda also includes issues like climate change and allergies, alternative medicine, education and quality of life for patients suffering from allergies.