Mt Hood 2026: Four Challenges Advancing Diabetes Simulation Modelling

The Mt Hood Simulation Modelling Challenge Network will bring together the international health economics and simulation modelling community in Padua, Italy, from 2–4 October 2026. This year, REDDIE is actively contributing to the organisation of the Mt Hood 2026 Challenge, including a dedicated challenge exploring the use of synthetic data in diabetes simulation modelling. The conference will be held at the Palazzo della Salute, a modern academic venue located in the heart of Padua.

Since its beginnings in 1999, the Mt Hood Diabetes Challenge Network has provided a forum for researchers developing and using health economic simulation models to compare approaches, test models against standardised scenarios and improve transparency and methodological standards. The 2026 edition continues this tradition with four main challenges addressing current questions in diabetes and health economic modelling.

Four challenges for Mt Hood 2026

Reference Simulation Update
Modelling groups are invited to replicate the standardised type 2 diabetes reference case using updated versions of their models. This is required only for models that have changed since the previous cycle. A new pre-diabetes/obesity reference case is also available.

Comorbidity and Multimorbidity Challenge: Diabetes and Dementia
This challenge introduces dementia as an additional outcome and explores the consequences of diabetes with and without dementia in an older population. Participating models will examine effects on outcomes including quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), life expectancy and costs.

Synthetic Data Challenge
Developed in collaboration with REDDIE, this challenge investigates how different levels of data richness influence simulation model performance. Participants will work with synthetic cohorts derived from the Swedish National Diabetes Register, ranging from aggregate characteristics to full pseudo-patient-level data. A longitudinal validation component will allow model predictions to be compared with observed outcomes, providing further insights into model validity and calibration.

Presymptomatic Screening in Type 1 Diabetes
The fourth challenge focuses on the long-term clinical and economic value of screening for early-stage type 1 diabetes compared with no screening. The challenge is being developed with RTI/IHE, and additional modelling groups are welcome to participate.

Modelling groups interested in any of the four challenges should complete the registration form on the website and return it to mthood2016@gmail.com as soon as possible to ensure your group is kept informed of developments.

Get involved in Mt Hood 2026

There are several opportunities to contribute to this year’s meeting. Applications to participate in the modelling challenges are still open, offering modelling groups the opportunity to test their models, compare results and contribute to methodological discussions.

Researchers can also contribute to the scientific programme by submitting an abstract by 1 September 2026 on topics related to diabetes, health economics and simulation modelling.

Those who do not wish to submit an abstract or participate directly in a challenge can also register to attend the conference, follow the challenge results and discussions, and connect with the international modelling community.

Explore the challenges, submit an abstract or register for Mt Hood 2026 on the website here.