{"id":23965,"date":"2026-07-08T10:38:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T10:38:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bergundsteigen.com\/?post_type=artikel&p=23965"},"modified":"2026-07-10T08:04:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T08:04:44","slug":"mountain-medicine-key-takeaways-from-the-2026-world-congress","status":"publish","type":"artikel","link":"https:\/\/www.bergundsteigen.com\/en\/artikel\/mountain-medicine-key-takeaways-from-the-2026-world-congress\/","title":{"rendered":"Mountain Medicine: Key Takeaways from the 2026 World Congress"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Spearheading new high-altitude and medical guidance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the UIAA Medical Commission\u2019s most advanced projects focuses on the question: How safe is it for children to travel and spend time at altitude? During its annual meeting in Hathersage, the Commission reviewed progress on an update of its Children at Altitude recommendations, originally published in 2008. The working group has completed its evidence reviews and developed structured recommendations based on a systematic review of the available research. Final recommendations, together with a summary aimed at non-specialists, are now being prepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Children at Altitude<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every year, thousands of children travel safely to high-altitude destinations. Yet surprisingly little is known about how altitude affects children, and much of the existing advice is still based on data from adults. Current knowledge suggests that children are generally no more restricted by acute altitude exposure than adults. However, young children often struggle to communicate symptoms such as cold, fatigue or altitude-related discomfort. Parents should therefore ensure that a trip is tailored to a child\u2019s interests, abilities and needs. The UIAA Medical Commission has published recommendations<\/a> to help mountaineers and physicians make informed decisions about children at altitude.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another topic gaining increasing attention is the growing number of older people remaining active in the mountains<\/strong>. To address this, the Commission is currently working on two complementary Older Mountaineers projects: a scientific scoping review and a practical FAQ resource. The review examines topics such as acclimatisation, altitude illness, safe movement in exposed terrain and environmental factors affecting older climbers and mountaineers. Meanwhile, the FAQ document is nearing publication following extensive feedback and discussion during the Hathersage working sessions and is expected to be released in summer 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communicating science beyond the academic world<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Scientific recommendations are only useful if they reach the people they are intended to help. During discussions in Hathersage, members of the UIAA Medical Commission acknowledged that scientific papers alone are often not enough to engage recreational climbers and mountaineers. Among the ideas discussed were more FAQs, videos and lay summaries based on scientific publications. The possibility of securing open-access publishing rights for future work also remains under consideration. Collaboration with organisations such as the International Society for Mountain Medicine (ISMM) was identified as an important element of future projects. The UIAA Communications team was also onsite in Hathersage, working on content aimed at making upcoming publications more accessible to a broader audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another topic on the agenda was a presentation from Climbers Against Cancer <\/a><\/strong>(CAC) and the organisation\u2019s future collaboration with MedCom. Following the discussion, the Commission agreed to support CAC through increased awareness and visibility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The meeting also marked the introduction of Benoit Champigneulle (FFCAM, France) as the new Vice President of the UIAA Medical Commission. Attention also turned to the next International Mountain Safety Symposium, which is planned for Nepal<\/strong>. Following previous editions in Argentina and Kosovo, the event will once again bring together the UIAA Medical, Safety and Youth Commissions, with a particular focus on mountain safety education and youth participation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MedCom role during World Congress on Mountain Medicine<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a partner of the World Congress on Mountain Medicine, the UIAA Medical Commission contributed a series of presentations and workshops on topics ranging from high-altitude medicine<\/strong> and climbing injuries<\/strong> to climate change<\/strong> and equipment<\/strong> safety<\/strong>. Under the leadership of Commission President Urs Hefti (SAC, Switzerland), the programme brought together international experts from across the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Lenka
Lenka Horakova, UIAA MedCom, presents advice related to women at altitude. Credit: Tom Tushaw\/UIAA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Credit:
Credit: Tom Tushaw\/UIAA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Credit:
Credit: Tom Tushaw\/UIAA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Credit:
Volker Sch\u00f6ffel about climbing injuries. Credit: Tom Tushaw\/UIAA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The UIAA-led components were<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

UIAA Safety Label:<\/strong> Safer gear through global standards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

More than 60 years after its introduction, the UIAA Safety Label continues to shape climbing equipment around the world. In his workshop, Nick Galpin (UIAA SafeCom\/British Mountaineering Council) explained how standardised testing helps improve equipment safety and why international standards remain essential for reducing risk in the mountains. He also explored how manufacturers are responding to climate change through material choices as well as recycling and reuse initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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