The BreathMobile, a new program established by the USA Department of Pediatrics, officially started its services in the Mobile community Tuesday, December 12, 2006, at 10 a.m. at Gilliard Elementary School, 1600 Boykin Blvd., Mobile. The program is the first of its kind in Alabama. The BreathMobile is a mobile asthma screening, education and treatment clinic that visits local schools in the region. Students visiting the BreathMobile have consent forms signed and are available for interviews, photos and video taping.

USA Pediatricians Drs. Loran Clement and Jennifer Cole along with nurses, patient educators and volunteers will drive the BreathMobile, a state-of-the-art allergy and asthma care center, housed in a converted, customized recreational vehicle to schools to screen, educate and treat children living with asthma.

Among children, asthma is a leading cause of hospitalization, chronic disease, and school absenteeism. Approximately 8 to 10 percent of children suffer from asthma, and the incidence has increased by 75 percent in the past 30 years. Unfortunately, the availability of appropriate care has not increased at the same rate.

Asthma care requires a great deal of patient care, and education is critical for successful treatment.