Keystone Mercy and Charlie Mack Celebrities Help Children with Asthma

July 13, 2008
Philadelphia, PA – More than 400 Philadelphia children with asthma and their families attended the recent Healthy Hoops® program, an asthma education and management program sponsored by Keystone Mercy Health Plan. The participants were also given free admission into the “Charlie Mack Celebrity Basketball Game,” where they were greeted by the participating athletes and celebrities, including new 76ers center, Elton Brand, and film star, Tyrese Gibson.

The Healthy Hoops program, in its sixth year, uses basketball as a vehicle to teach children and their families how to manage asthma through appropriate medication usage, proper nutrition and monitored exercise and recreational activities.  It also aims at decreasing childhood obesity and increasing cardiovascular activity, as they relate to asthma.

At the event, nearly 200 children received health assessments including blood pressure, body mass index, height, weight and lung capacity (spirometry) screenings. Information sessions on nutrition and demonstrations on the use of asthma control devices were also provided. 

“Healthy Hoops is making a difference,” said Maria Battle, senior vice president of Keystone Mercy Health Plan. “It’s incredible to see how the children and their families are responding to the information and the changes we’re seeing in their ability to manage the disease.”

A study of Healthy Hoops participants attending events in both 2006 and 2007 found that emergency room visits related to severe asthma attacks decreased 6.4 percent, and inpatient stays due to asthma-related problems decreased 22.2 percent. The study also found that Healthy Hoops participants used their preventive medicines more effectively and they improved their breathing after one year.

Healthy Hoops was created in 2002 by Keystone Mercy Health Plan in collaboration with the Healthy Hoops Coalition, whose members include AstraZeneca, Crozer-Keystone Health System, local basketball coaches and health organizations.

Newest 76ers player, Elton Brand (center), stands with Healthy Hoops organizers and participating kids at the Healthy Hoops/Celebrity Basketball event.

Theron "Chico" Benymon, star of the UPN comedy, Half & Half, learns about the peak flow test that measures the strength of his breathing. Benymon was one of the celebrities at the recent Healthy Hoops/Celebrity Basketball event sponsored by Keystone Mercy Health Plan.