Scientific Services

We bring two major areas of expertise to bear on all problems and projects related to high altitude clinical research. We are experts in both high altitude medicine and exercise physiology at high altitude. Read more...

Fast Facts

Questions about Acute Mountain Sicknesses?

  • Am I at risk of developing AMS?
  • What can I do to prevent AMS?
  • When to seek medical help?
  • My heart seems to beat faster, is this normal?
  • I am in very good physical shape – doesn't that mean that I’m less likely to feel the effects of the altitude?

Click here for our Fast Fact answers...

Hypoxia in Action

What happens to your body when acutely exposed to lower oxygen:

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Exploratory Research

What is GIS?

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is the application of computer software, hardware and data, and personnel to help manipulate, analyze and present information that is tied to a spatial location.   Simply put, it is one attempt at representing the real world in a controlled environment such as your computer monitor, or on a paper map.

US Map

How can GIS assist in preserving the Public Health of the People of Colorado?

GIS Technology can be used for interpreting public health data, predicting public health and environmental outcomes, displaying current patterns of disease with historical trends, and devising effective intervention strategies by examining resources, indicators, and capabilities of outreach efforts.


GIS Projects at ARC

  • Multiple Sclerosis progression at altitude vs. sea level. Planned case control exploratory study to determine whether patients with multiple sclerosis experience more rapid progression of symptoms at altitude as compared to sea level using GIS mapping as a tool. The study will use the NARCOMS data base --a patient generated data base that has high correlation with clinical evaluations based on physical examination. In collaboration with several neurologists at UC Denver SOM.

  • Longevity, COPD and cardiovascular diseases at altitude. Based on findings from a study done in collaboration with the Harvard Global Health Initiative (publication in submission) showing a possible protective effect of altitude residence on CVD and not for COPD, we want to build upon and expand this line of research into additional projects at a finer level of analysis than the original county-level investigation. In addition to reproducing the study at a finer resolution, a major focus will be on ascertaining the role of migration, particularly out-migration, on mortality rates.
  • Malaria and altitude. Based on the work done by Deb Thomas and Charles Musiba in the highlands of Tanzania that indicates an increased incidence of malaria at elevations previously thought to be less at risk, a manuscript is planned. Final results of the pilot project will guide future proposals.
  • Development of GIS core facility at ARC. Multiple clinicians and basic scientists raise questions about a variety of co-morbid conditions in people who live at altitude---in regards to incidence, progression, changes in presentation. As we have Colorado mapped by zip code, we can offer GIS services to the scientists to help answer their questions from a screening standpoint.


Datasets available upon request:

Colorado: Mean elevation for all counties, zip codes, or census tracts

US: Mean elevation for all counties or zip codes

Co-Sponsors of the Colorado Health GIS User Group