High altitude climate therapy (HACT) combines multidisciplinary treatment with environmental trigger avoidance in the healthy alpine climate, including optimization of disease control, rehabilitation and self-management education. The high altitude environment is characterized by dry clean air, reduced levels of allergens, particulate matters and molds, combined with decreased atmospheric pressure and increased UV-exposure. High altitude treatment has been successfully applied for more than 100 year in the treatment of asthma, upper airway diseases and atopic dermatitis in children and adults, yet only recently the immunological and molecular mechanisms of successful HACT have been studied in more detail. International guidelines recommend considering a non-pharmacological treatment strategy such as high altitude treatment for patients with chronic diseases of the skin and airways. HACT Task Force aims at reviewing the evidence of the effect of HACT and advising the focus of future research.

Chair: Lucia Rijssenbeek-Nouwens
Secretary: Karin Fieten