Project Summary

The goal of this study is to propose evidence-based policies that will foster the optimal expansion of existing mobile health resources and promote inter-institutional collaboration between mobile clinic programs in order to maximize benefit for at-risk populations and reduce healthcare costs. For example, GIS epidemiological data in combination with optimization software will be used to identify key population targets and least-cost routes that can be used by independent mammography mobile clinics to increase significantly total number of screenings. The specific aims of this proposal include: 1) to complete an economic and technical feasibility analysis of a model for optimizing mobile health clinic resource deployment; and, 2) based on the model studied, to propose reliable and cost-effective policies to expand mobile health clinic resources. We expect that policies identified in our research will encourage comprehensive, multi-provider, collaborative programs of mobile health units in Texas. In turn, these programs can lead to a high-impact and cost-effective approach for reducing healthcare disparities.

Sample Publications and Reference

Project Participants:

Participants from UH:
Principal Investigator: Jiming Peng.

Students: Sophia Shi (PhD), Bilal Majeed (MSc).

Other institute partners: UTSPH, TCH, UTMB and MDACC.

Sponsor: TMC Health Policy Institute. 2016.