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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
06:09
Breath Collection from Children for Disease Biomarker Discovery
Published on: February 14, 2019
The Breathmobile program: a good investment for underserved children with asthma
Mary Elizabeth Bollinger1, Tricia Morphew, C Daniel Mullins
1Division of Pediatric Pulmonology/Allergy, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. mbolling@peds.umaryland.edu
Summary
The Breathmobile program improves symptom-free days (SFDs) for underserved children with asthma, demonstrating cost savings. This mobile clinic offers effective asthma management and reduces healthcare costs.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Health Services Research
- Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Background:
- The Breathmobile provides free, specialty-based mobile asthma care to underserved children.
- The cost-effectiveness of improving symptom-free days (SFDs) in this population was previously unreported.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical impact of the Baltimore Breathmobile.
- To determine the cost-effectiveness of the Baltimore Breathmobile program.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of computerized data from 255 Breathmobile patients (2002-2007).
- Calculation of SFDs and comparison of direct medical cost savings (reduced ED visits/hospitalizations) with operating costs.
- Determination of incremental cost-effectiveness ratios per additional SFD gained.
Main Results:
- Patients gained an average of 44 SFDs after one year in the program.
- The program achieved overall cost savings of $79.43 per SFD gained.
- Greater cost savings were observed in children aged 5-11 and those with intermittent asthma.
Conclusions:
- The Baltimore Breathmobile significantly improves SFDs and generates cost savings exceeding operational expenses.
- Sustaining and expanding Breathmobile programs is supported for high-risk children.
- Further research, including a randomized clinical trial, is recommended to confirm cost-effectiveness.
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