Hausmann, Robert C.2018-06-222018-06-22May 20182018-05May 2018http://hdl.handle.net/10657/3158Background: Childhood obesity has become a serious medical concern affecting numerous families nationwide. One of the ways that the problem of childhood obesity is being addressed in the U.S. is through mobile health units that travel around communities to schools and neighborhoods and provide vital healthcare services to children and young adults, who might not otherwise have access to healthcare in their community. However, lack of resources, data sharing capability, and interconnectivity has often been the cause of these units not able to expand their coverage among the most vulnerable. Purpose: This study attempted to understand how mobile health workers’ data can be used to improve services and assist in combating childhood obesity. Method: The study utilized descriptive statistics to analyze survey responses and interviews to understand how mobile health unit (MHU) providers utilize collected data regarding childhood obesity. Results: Descriptive statistic results from fifteen healthcare providers generated meaningful recommendations that could be used by mobile healthcare units and healthcare providers nationwide, which in turn is expected to help make children healthier. It is further explained how the interaction between the mobile health worker and at-risk children must be increased, while resources must be spent in data integration, data sharing and properly training health workers. Conclusion: This study recommends further research into expanding mobile health workers’ access to data, ushering in an environment through collaboration, where health workers can learn and expand their knowledge base to appropriately use and increase their coverage of patients both currently in need and at-risk.application/pdfengThe author of this work is the copyright owner. UH Libraries and the Texas Digital Library have their permission to store and provide access to this work. Further transmission, reproduction, or presentation of this work is prohibited except with permission of the author(s).Mobile health unitsObesityData collectionChildhoodProviders2018-06-22Thesisborn digital