Mobile Health Units Bridge Access Gaps Across the US, Georgetown Study Finds

Key Clinical Summary

• Georgetown University review finds mobile health programs improve access, equity, and outcomes across primary, specialty, and emergency care.
• Evidence shows measurable benefits in chronic disease management, preventive screenings, and behavioral crisis response.
• Authors call for standardized data and long-term studies to evaluate cost-effectiveness and policy scalability.

A new report from the Georgetown University Center on Health Insurance Reforms (CHIR) highlights the potential of mobile health programs to expand access and reduce disparities in US health care delivery. The comprehensive review titled “Beyond the Clinic Walls: Exploring the Potential of Mobile Health,” examines 160 studies published between 2015 and 2025, underscoring how mobile clinics, dental units, and community paramedicine models are transforming care for underserved populations.

Study Findings

The Georgetown analysis finds that mobile health platforms—ranging from vans and trailers to retrofitted ambulances—deliver essential clinical and preventive care directly to patients in both rural and urban “medical deserts.” These programs often reach racial and ethnic minorities, immigrants, farmworkers, and people experiencing homelessness, who face persistent barriers such as transportation, broadband access, and insurance coverage.

Primary care mobile units demonstrated measurable success in chronic disease detection and management. For example, one California program identified untreated hypertension in 40% of screened adults, while repeat patients at a Massachusetts clinic saw average systolic blood pressure reductions of 10 mmHg. Another Detroit initiative linked nearly half its patients to social service programs and confirmed referral completion.

Specialty models such as mobile mammography and dentistry units improved early detection and preventive care. Mammography vans detected cancers at rates comparable to fixed clinics (between 1 and 8 per 1000 exams) and served mostly uninsured women. Mobile dental units reported average visit costs of $123, significantly undercutting fixed-site pricing, while enhancing oral health outcomes among children and nursing home residents.

Emergency-linked models also showed promise. Mobile Stroke Units initiated treatment 15 to 30 minutes faster than standard Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and improved 90-day recovery. Meanwhile, Mobile Crisis Teams reduced justice involvement by cutting minor criminal charges by 34%. They also avoided costly emergency department (ED) visits, saving an estimated $2.8 million over 3 years. Community Paramedicine programs achieved up to an 80% reduction in hospital readmissions, translating to millions in potential payer savings.

Clinical Implications

For payers and policymakers, the findings present a compelling case for integrating mobile health into broader access and cost-containment strategies. Evidence indicates that these models can reduce ED utilization, increase chronic disease control, and promote early diagnosis in populations least likely to engage with traditional health systems. Mobile units’ flexibility—offering vaccinations, screenings, and even broadband-enabled telehealth—positions them as a bridge between in-person and virtual care, particularly in regions lacking infrastructure.

However, the report cautions that evidence gaps remain. Most studies focus on short-term metrics, and long-term data on health outcomes, cost savings, and scalability are limited. The authors recommend standardized reporting frameworks, shared data systems, and policy incentives to better capture mobile health’s full value to both patients and payers.

“Mobile health consistently reaches underserved populations, improves access, and shows clear potential to reduce costly utilization of hospitals, EDs, and jails—while supporting better health outcomes,” said the authors.

They emphasize that filling research gaps, especially in long-term effectiveness, “would enable more strategic, targeted, and sustainable expansion of mobile health programs.”

Conclusion

Georgetown’s Beyond the Clinic Walls report signals a growing evidence base for mobile health’s effectiveness across clinical domains. As federal and state payers weigh expansion of community-based and telehealth-integrated care, mobile health stands out as a cost-efficient, equitable, and scalable solution to persistent access gaps in the US health care system.

Reference

Kona M,  Burleson J, Sullivan L. Beyond the clinic walls: exploring the potential of mobile health. Georgetown University Center on Health Insurance Reforms. October 2025. Accessed November 11, 2025. https://chir.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/Beyond-the-Clinic-Walls.pdf