Lower mortality rates in those living at moderate altitude

Individuals living at moderate altitudes (up to about 2000 m) were shown to have lower mortality from coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke (−22% and −12% per 1000 m) [1] and an about 50% lower risk of dying from Alzheimer's disease compared with their counterparts living at lower altitudes [2]. In contrast, reported altitude effects on cancer mortality are still conflicting [3]. However, due to shared risk factors, e.g. obesity and diabetes, in cardiovascular disease and cancer a shared biology for both disease entities may be assumed [4]. Therefore, it is hypothesized that mortality from certain cancers will decline with increasing altitude as demonstrated for CAD.