High Altitude Medicine

The University of Colorado Altitude Research Center (ARC), part of the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, brings together scientists and doctors to focus on solving the problems created when humans do not have enough oxygen -- hypoxia. The Altitude Center focuses on research, education and clinical services to promote the health and well-being of people living, working or traveling to high altitudes, and those suffering from hypoxia due to diseases at low altitudes.

Colorado has the highest mean population living at altitude of any of the fifty states. For the census year 2000 twenty percent of the people in Colorado lived above 7000 feet, with nearly 20,000 individuals living over 10,000 feet in Lake County. These residents of Colorado work, exercise, sleep, and also raise their families at altitude. As they grow older and are susceptible to illnesses of the elderly such as heart and lung disease, cancer, and dementia, altitude impacts their well-being as well as the treatment and natural history of their disease. Little is known about the impact of altitude on these conditions. There is some evidence that living at altitude may protect from some diseases.

The investigations of these entities in the natural laboratory of Colorado’s higher elevations and lower oxygen content can help us understand mechanisms involved in these and other diseases, so that treatments can be developed that will help not only altitude dwellers and visitors, but also anyone living at any elevation. Current areas of research include, but are not limited to: brain response to low oxygen and relation to acute mountain sickness; genetics of Acute Mountain Sickness; genetics of low birth-weight babies at high altitude; and genetics of human athletic performance.

To learn more, visit The Altitude Research Center website.