Many adults with asthma never receive the education they need to manage their condition effectively, but a new digital platform is changing that. Researchers from Allergy & Asthma Network and Blue Marble Health have developed and tested an innovative app called BREATHE (BRinging Exercise, Asthma Assessments, and TeacHing to Everyone) that delivers comprehensive asthma self-management education to people who face barriers to traditional healthcare access .

Why Is Asthma Self-Management Education So Important?

Asthma self-management education (ASME) is essential for achieving optimal disease control, yet many adults with asthma do not receive it. This gap in care is particularly pronounced among people in under-resourced communities who may struggle to access in-person healthcare appointments or educational programs. The BREATHE platform was specifically designed to address this critical need by providing scalable, digital solutions that reach people regardless of their location or healthcare access challenges .

The research team used a rigorous, user-centered design approach, meaning they involved actual patients and healthcare providers in building the platform from the ground up. This collaborative process ensured that the final product would meet real-world needs rather than what developers thought people might want.

What Features Does the BREATHE Platform Include?

The platform integrates comprehensive asthma education with practical tools that help people manage their condition daily. Here's what users can access:

• Interactive Lessons: Asthma education content featuring diverse, inclusive imagery that reflects the communities using the app
• Exercise Tracking: Built-in tools to monitor physical activity and how it affects asthma symptoms
• Asthma Control Surveys: Regular assessments that help users understand how well their asthma is controlled
• Personalized Asthma Action Plan: A customized plan that guides users on what to do when symptoms worsen
• Bilingual Support: Spanish-language translation with bilingual voice-over narration for accessibility
• Clinician Dashboard: A separate interface for healthcare providers to monitor patient data in real time and provide remote support

How Did the Platform Perform in Testing?

The research team conducted a two-phase study to evaluate the BREATHE platform. In Phase 1, they surveyed and interviewed adults with asthma and healthcare providers to understand what the platform should include. In Phase 2, they tested the app with a group of adults with asthma who experience health disparities, along with healthcare providers, over a two-week period .

The results were impressive. Adults with asthma rated the app in the 81st percentile for usability, meaning it ranked higher than 81% of other health apps tested using the same standards. Healthcare providers rated the clinician dashboard in the 76th percentile. Both groups reported strong satisfaction, with adults giving the app a Net Promoter Score of 8.6 out of 10 and healthcare providers giving it 7.7 out of 10 . These scores indicate that users not only found the platform easy to use but also genuinely liked it.

"This research reflects our commitment to leading patient-centered innovation and expanding access to essential asthma education. BREATHE demonstrates how digital tools can empower patients, support clinicians, and advance health equity for communities historically underserved by traditional healthcare models," stated De De Gardner, Chief Research Officer at Allergy & Asthma Network.

De De Gardner, Chief Research Officer at Allergy & Asthma Network

How to Use BREATHE for Asthma Management

The platform is now being used in Allergy & Asthma Network's free Virtual Asthma Coaching Program, extending its impact by providing personalized support to individuals managing asthma. Here's how the platform supports better asthma care:

• Daily Monitoring: Users can track their asthma symptoms and exercise regularly through the app's built-in tools, creating a clear picture of their disease patterns
• Education Access: Interactive lessons teach users about asthma triggers, medication use, and emergency warning signs without requiring in-person appointments
• Action Planning: The personalized Asthma Action Plan helps users know exactly what steps to take when symptoms worsen, reducing confusion during emergencies
• Provider Communication: Healthcare providers can view real-time data from the app, allowing them to adjust treatment plans based on actual symptom patterns rather than patient memory

The platform's success stems from its person-centered design philosophy. Rather than building technology and hoping patients would use it, the developers worked directly with the people who would actually use the app. This approach ensures that the platform addresses genuine barriers to asthma management, such as language accessibility, visual representation, and practical usability .

"The strong usability and feasibility outcomes we achieved with our Health in Motion BREATHE Platform give us tremendous confidence as we advance into our clinical trial, where we will rigorously test whether this person-centered design translates into meaningful health outcomes for adults living with asthma, especially those living in under-resourced communities," explained Sheryl Flynn, CEO of Blue Marble Health.

Sheryl Flynn, CEO of Blue Marble Health

The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award, demonstrating federal recognition of the need for better digital tools to improve asthma care. The study was published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in Practice, a peer-reviewed medical journal that evaluates research on allergy and asthma treatments and management strategies .

For the millions of adults with asthma who struggle to access traditional healthcare or education, the BREATHE platform represents a meaningful step forward. By combining evidence-based asthma education with user-friendly technology and bilingual support, the platform is helping to close a critical gap in asthma care and improve health outcomes for underserved communities.