Children, Parents Learn to Manage Asthma, Live Healthier at
One-Day Basketball and Health Education Session
Healthy Hoops® Program Brings in Philadelphia 76ers Advisor, Local Coaches to Use Sports as Vehicle to Improve Children’s Health
Reading (PA) –More than 200 Berks County children and their families learned how to better manage asthma and got some top-notch basketball skills training at a one-day Healthy Hoops® event on Saturday, Sept. 20. The Healthy Hoops program uses basketball as a means to help young asthma sufferers and their families learn about appropriate medication use, proper nutrition, and monitored exercise.
"Our Healthy Hoops program is a proven way to help young people with asthma live healthier, fuller lives," said Sherry Knowlton, Senior Vice President and General Manager for AmeriHealth Mercy Health Plan, a key Medicaid managed care plan in Berks County and a sponsor of the program. "This is our first year for the program in Berks County, but we are pleased to report that young asthma patients who have attended these events in Philadelphia have shown significant improvement after one year."
Studies of Healthy Hoops participants in Philadelphia in 2006 and 2007 show:
- Asthma-related emergency room visits decreased 6.4 percent
- Inpatient hospital stays due to asthma-related problems dropped 22.2 percent
- Healthy Hoops participants used their medications more effectively, showing an 11.7 percent increase in the use of controller medications to reduce severe asthma attacks
- 68 percent of participants either maintained or improved their lung capacity and strength
The Healthy Hoops event held today at Reading's Northwest Middle School was sponsored by AmeriHealth Mercy Health Plan and the Healthy Hoops Coalition, which includes AstraZeneca, the American Lung Association, the Olivet Boys and Girls Club, Reading School District, local community and health organizations, and participating basketball coaches.
"It’s important for children to have regular screenings for asthma," said Reading Mayor Thomas McMahon at the event. Healthy Hoops "is making a difference in the lifestyle and health of children. And it is an opportunity to make a healthier community all around."
Today's program was for children ages 3 to 15 with asthma, cardiovascular disease or weight problems. The day included health screenings, basketball skills training and parent education sessions all aimed at helping kids with asthma live healthier, fuller lives. This is the second Healthy Hoops event in Berks County, with about 250 children and their family members attending the first event in April.
"With the knowledge and medications we have today, children with asthma can lead normal, active lives," Knowlton said. "By making sure parents as well as their children know how to properly use medication, eat right, and get regular, supervised exercise, we can make life better for young people with asthma."
Participants in today's program, which ran from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., included:
- Sonny Hill, The Sonny Hill Basketball League, advisor to Philadelphia 76ers
- Fran O'Hanlon, basketball coach, Lafayette College
- Brian Daly, basketball coach, "All Ball!" and Monsignor Bonner High School
- Lawrence Kay, M.D., Senior Medical Director, AmeriHealth Mercy Health Plan
- Sandy Wise, Chief Program Officer, Olivet Boys & Girls Club
"We're grateful to everyone who took part in this event. As a community, we can work together to help children with asthma lead healthier, happier lives, and help to control health care costs at the same time," Knowlton said. |
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