The UCLA Breathmobiles are heading out to provide free asthma diagnosis, treatment, medication, and education to Southern California children.

Each asthma clinic on wheels, staffed by a physician, a registered nurse, and a patient-service worker, will be visiting school sites in the southern part of the state. The RV-style UCLA Breathmobile will visit schools and make follow-up visits every 6 to 8 weeks.

The Breathmobile project was developed by the California Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) chapter to address rising morbidity rates from asthma in high-risk, disadvantaged children.

"With our kid-friendly UCLA Breathmobile, we look forward to bringing our services to the community and helping countless children with the diagnosis and management of asthma," Maria Garcia Lloret, MD, assistant clinical professor of pediatric allergy and immunology at UCLA’s Mattel Children’s Hospital, said in an announcement. "We hope these visits will improve the day-to-day lives of families who are coping with this chronic condition."

According to an announcement about the Breathmobile, evaluation studies have demonstrated dramatic improvement for patients treated by the Breathmobile, including fewer emergency room visits, improved pulmonary function, a decrease in school absenteeism and an improved quality of life.

Currently 12 Breathmobiles operate throughout Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. Combined, they visit more than 200 elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as several comprehensive health clinics in Southern California.