Havana, March 28 (RHC) A forum on care of the elderly (GERONTOGER 2012) opened its doors at Havana’s Convention Centre on Tuesday with the keynote lecture entitled “The health of the elderly in the 21st century: new and old challenges,” by an expert of the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO).

Doctor Enrique Vega, Regional Advisor for Aging and Health of the Pan-American and World Health organizations spoke about longevity and the challenges of aging, a world phenomenon that affects Cuba and many other countries.

At present, according to the National Office of Statistics and Information, 17.9 percent of the population is over 60 years of age and the figure will increase to 30.5 by 2030.

The 8th National Congress on Gerontology and Geriatrics and the 20th International Seminar on the Attention to the Elderly brings together over 300 experts from about 10 nations, including Mexico, Brazil, the United States, Ecuador and France, said Humberto Arencibia, president of the organizing committee.

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