High-altitude-related pulmonary disease is a spectrum of acute and chronic illnesses with a well-described epidemiology.
The risk for these illnesses is related to well-known environmental risk factors and lesser-known but important genetic factors. Prevention of acute high-altitude illness is possible in most visitors from lower elevations. Chronic high-altitude illnesses have an important worldwide impact.
Maloney, J.P., Broeckel, U. (2005). Clinical in Chest Medicine. 26, 3, 395-404.