Breathmobile

BreathmobileIn Baltimore City as many as 1 out of every 5 school children can be affected with asthma, a potentially life-threatening lung disease (more than twice the national average). Children with asthma are 3 times more likely to miss school than children without asthma. Hospitalization and emergency room visits for Baltimore children are 2-3 times the national average due to chronic illnesses like asthma.

To address this urgent public health need, the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital (UMCH) launched the Breathmobile® program in March of 2002. The Breathmobile is an asthma clinic on wheels that provides specialized asthma care directly to Baltimore city school children at their schools and in their communities. The UMCH Breathmobile delivers state-of-the-art preventive asthma care to children who would not otherwise have regular access to effective asthma care. At each visit to the Breathmobile, children and their families see healthcare providers in familiar surroundings with their trusted school-based nurse or aide to assist them.

Under the clinical leadership of UMCH staff and the support of philanthropic and community partners, the Breathmobile has provided care to nearly 5,000 children through more than 10,000 patient visits. Interventions, medications and monitoring provided by the Breathmobile have directly led to decreased absenteeism from school and work (parents), fewer visits to hospital Emergency Departments, fewer hospitalizations and better health outcomes overall.

The University of Maryland Medical System Foundation gratefully acknowledges the generous contributions from private and public donors to support this program. The combined investment of University of Maryland Children’s Hospital, our philanthropic partners and community organizations have ensured the ongoing success of the program.

Breathmobile Supporters:

Kohls Cares
The Alvin and Fanny B. Thalheimer Foundation Inc.
Anthem Foundation
Qlarant Foundation
Health Resources and Services Administration
Thomas Wilson Sanitarium for Children of Baltimore City
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
United Way of Central Maryland
Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Baltimore Inc.
The Rouben and Violet Jiji Foundation

*Gifts made from January 1, 2010 - October 16, 2018*


To make a tax-deductible gift to support the Breathmobile, please click here.

To learn more about the Breathmobile, please visit:
www.umms.org/childrens/health-services/pediatric-pulmonology-allergy-sleep/breathmobile.