The Healthy Hoops Program is an innovative, community-based program that provides health screenings and education to boys and girls with asthma, ages 8-14, in a fun setting with celebrity basketball coaches and medical supervision, as well as a mini-basketball camp. As the program grew over the next 3 years it expanded to include children ages 3-15. The goal of Healthy Hoops is to integrate fitness into a comprehensive asthma management program for children, parents, and caregivers so that they learn appropriate use of medication and recognize how to reduce the incidence of triggers. The program has a kick-off at a popular “kids” spot, such as the Franklin Institute or Dave& Buster’s. The entire family is welcome, but minimally a guardian must attend. Free transportation is provided from many drop-off points throughout the target area. There are incentives, such as basketballs, shirts, and bags for all children who attend, as well as lunch for everyone and several prizes such as Allen Iverson autographed memorabilia. Health and medication histories are taken, spirometric tests are done, education and entertainment is provided by guests such as Sweet Lou Dunbar of the Harlem Globetrotters and former Philadelphia Eagle Gary Cobb, and the children are signed up for follow-up visits at one of the Asthma Center of Excellence (ACE) sites.
At the follow-up visits, a more complete history and physical are done, medication changes are made if necessary, and ongoing child and adult asthma education continues, with pre- and post-testing. To assure compliance with the follow-up visits, additional incentives are given to the entire family such as tickets to the circus or a professional sports game. Healthy Hoops also provides education for community professionals involved with the children, such as day care specialists, school nurses, school coaches, Philadelphia recreational coaches, and the Philadelphia Police Athletic League. These events are always well attended. After six months, the participants and their family attend the Healthy Hoops Basketball Day Camp, run by three local basketball celebrity coaches. Further adult group education, health screenings, incentives, and prizes are offered as at the initial kick-off.
In 2003:
- Controller medication use increased by 67%
- ER visits decreased by 85%
- Hospitalizations decreased by 80%
- Sleep disturbances decreased by 10%
- Forced expiratory volume @ 1 second (FEV1) improved by 5%
In 2004 (included children both 2003 and new participants) - Controller medication use increased by 10%
- ER visits decreased by 63%
- Sleep disturbances decreased by 70%
- Albuterol rescue medication decreased by 13%
- Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) improved by 9%