Welcome the Breathmobile

   Photo courtesy of Prescott-Joseph Centre

Growing up, I recall the awful asthma attacks my mother and sister had, some of which led to hospitalization. As of 2007, there are 6.7 million children (9.1%) living with asthma in the U.S., according to the Center for Disease Control. Asthma-related illnesses are especially prevalent in Alameda County, where kids have some of the highest rates in California.

Air quality is an ongoing issue in Oakland, where the busy port, freeway intersections, and large diesel trucks contribute a significant amount of pollution. West Oakland exhibits high rates of asthma among its population. Who can help these people?

Enter the Breathmobile, a mobile asthma clinic and the first of its kind in Northern California. Most Winnebagos are outfitted with a small kitchen, living space, and a few beds. This one is specially designed with a small waiting area, a station for vital signs to be checked, an intake station, an exam room, and a host of other features to assist and care for children suffering from asthma and can't afford regular hosptial visits. Pediatric Asthma Specialists, a Pediatrician, a registered RN or Nurse Practicioner, and a Respiratory Technician staff the mobile. They all speak Spanish.

The Breathmobile, sponsored by the Prescott-Joseph Centre for Community Enhancement, became a fully functioning mobile clinic on September 14 of this year.

The mobile plans to treat asthmatic children between the ages of 3-18 years. "We won't refuse any children, " says Dr. Washington Burns, the executive director of the Breathmobile. "Our goal is to provide low-income people, at no charge, our services, " says Burns. For those without a healthcare plan, Medi-Cal will be charged. Medi-Cal is a program for low-income families and individuals jointly sponsored by the California State Department of Health Services and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

School districts are still in the process of procuring an agreement with the Breathmobile for them to operate on their campuses. Once an agreement has been made, the school sends out a letter about the program and requests parents' permission to release health information for kids with asthma. If permission is granted, then parents schedule an appointment with the Breathmobile and accompany their child.

According to Burns, the goal is "to reduce school abseentism, teach patients how to control their asthma, and reduce medical costs." Anna Yates Elementary School in Emeryville received the first visit from the Breathmobile, and 16 students took part. Burns hopes to service 22-23 schools a month, and give them "regular provider visits a minimum of every four weeks." As of now, they plan to service West Oakland, Richmond, Emeryville, San Leandro, and Bayview-Hunters Point. The bigger vision is to have a fleet of these Breathmobiles servicing the greater Bay Area. That will largely depend on the success of this first Breathmobile, as they rely on donations to keep it operating.