STORIES FROM THE ROAD

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Mobile Health Consultants is pleased to share with you case studies of successful mobile programs.

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Mobile C.A.R.E. Foundation
Comprehensive Care for Chicagoland’s
Children with Asthma

 

Contact: Amy Miller, Executive Director – 773.890.7130; em: amiller@mobilecarefoundation.org Mobile C.A.R.E. Foundation was founded in 1998 with the vision and volunteer effort of four Chicago-area physicians. In early 1999, an asthma management program model was developed. The model, titled Comprehensive Asthma Management Program, was designed as an integration of a new mobile asthma clinic and an existing community asthma education initiative that had been training community members to teach asthma management in their neighborhoods since 1995. The mission of Mobile C.A.R.E. is to provide children in Chicago’s underserved communities with free, ongoing medical care and health education for asthma. The two main objectives of Mobile C.A.R.E. are (1) to cost-effectively and measurably reduce the clinical, school performance and emergency health care system impact of uncontrolled pediatric asthma in Chicago and (2) to establish a viable economic framework that will allow for expansion of the Program throughout Chicago and into other urban areas. Since the launch of the Comprehensive Asthma Management Program in November 1999, nearly 20,000 low-income, Chicago children have been screened for asthma. Over 2,000 children have been enrolled in the Program, and 7,500 patient-visits have taken place at the organization’s two mobile clinics, the Breathmobile and Asthma Van. Hundreds of families have utilized the 24-hour direct physician phone service. The screening, medical clinics, and phone service are currently offered to students and their families at over 40 public and parochial schools. The annual operating expenses for Mobile C.A.R.E. are approximately $850,000, donated by individuals, foundations, and corporations. Results from the first four years of service quantify the Program’s success. Clinical and symptom markers indicate improvements in the lung function of patients. Children and parents report increased physical activity and a sense of feeling better over time. School absenteeism due to asthma is markedly decreased (66%) after just three visits to the clinics. The problem of parents missing work due to their child’s asthma is nearly eliminated. Emergency room use and hospitalization for asthma have decreased for Mobile C.A.R.E. patients by 50% and 40% respectively. For additional information – asthma basics, impact on Chicago, “visiting a van” services, and community partnerships, GO TO – WWW.MOBILECAREFOUNDATION.ORG Click HERE to learn more about "How To Deliver" Mobile Healthcare in your community. Click HERE to contact us.

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