Evaluating the impact of altitudinal variations on COVID-19 mortality rates: a comprehensive analysis

Our findings highlight that high-altitude adaptations, such as increased lung capacity and epigenetic changes, may mitigate COVID-19 severity. However, the role of environmental and genetic factors remains insufficiently explored. Importantly, the study underscores healthcare inequities in rural high-altitude areas, where limited vaccination access exacerbates mortality risks. While altitude shows promise as a protective factor, addressing healthcare access disparities and further investigating high-altitude physiological and genetic adaptations are imperative for optimizing COVID-19 outcomes in diverse populations.