This article investigates the effect of a mobile pediatric asthma clinic utilization in a primary rural setting in Northeast Texas. For utilizing the mobile pediatric asthma clinic, a pilot study was conducted in a mostly rural and geographically widespread community. The number of missed school days and emergency room visits during 12 months after the initial visit were examined. 870 students attending K through 12th grade or head start programs received care from the mobile pediatric asthma clinic. Result revealed that missed school days and emergency room visits decreased during 12 months after the initial appointment. Health outcomes improved among a mostly rural and geographically widespread community population with poor access to care and lack of asthma-related education. However, despite the teams’ best efforts to reduce barriers to care, drop-out rates were more than average. This was a huge challenge to overcome in primary rural settings. However, there are good opportunities of conducting community-based participatory research (CBPR) in school districts, especially involving parents and teachers. For schools, mobile asthma clinics are effective in reducing absenteeism among students. Reducing absences due to chronic disease benefits student performance, optimizes teaching time, as teachers are not spending additional time tutoring students who missed class, and improves funding for schools.

asthma, mobile clinic, rural, missed school days, emergency room visits.