From round the world to Porto, experts debate Respiratory Health

The 1st Ibero-American Primary Care Respiratory Meeting takes place in Porto at the Customs Building and runs from 31st May till 2nd June.

"Adding value in a resource constrained world" is the topical issue under discussion in the framework of the 9th International Primary Care Respiratory Group and the 1st Ibero-American Primary Care Respiratory Meeting, which gathers over one thousand participants worldwide.

The opening of the event coincided with the World No Tobacco Day, and the Health World Organization highlighted the fact that nine out of every ten people breathe polluted air.

In light of this state of affairs, risk factors as smoking brings harmful consequences to people's health, increasing chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.

This is growing fast and there is a need to mitigate the economic and social consequences of health inequalities in the context of respiratory health.

Rui Moreira, Mayor of Porto, delivered the opening speech of this meeting and spotlighted that the city views sustainability as a long-term strategic approach to including social, economic and environmental responsibilities, by investing in clean vehicles and the development of Cycle Paths.

The Mayor further noted the importance of culture in the social context as "the key connecting factor at a time of conflict at world level".

In Porto, "culture is seen as a cohesion element, building bonds across generations and people from different origins".

The meeting runs at Porto Customs Building till Saturday.