RESEARCH IN THE ALPS

Each year wilderness medicine research is conducted in this program. Two areas of research center around nature deficit disorder and altitude.

Nature Deficit Disorderis a term coined by Richard Louv to describe the negative consequences of people, particularly children, spending less time outdoors and more time in front of screens or in built environments.

Wilderness as medicine is a powerful way to counteract Nature Deficit Disorder by immersing individuals in natural environments that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Time spent in forests, mountains, or near bodies of water has been shown in research to reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function.

We are looking at how this happens and in what ways we can accomplish this important task.

Altitude: The effects of altitude are well known. In Chamonix, we are surrounded by the tallest mountains in Europe. Trams efficiently take people to elevations that are very high, very quickly. Many suffer AMC and early states of HAPE and HACE. We are looking at this issues.

More information will be given to you as you enroll and begin to take part in this program.