Healthy Hoops
An Effective Practice
This practice has been Archived and is no longer maintained.
Description
Healthy Hoops is a health education and management program that uses sports to improve health outcomes and quality of life for children and families who suffer from asthma, cardiovascular disease, or obesity. The program particularly focuses on racial and ethnic minorities, who may face language and cultural barriers to quality healthcare. Some of the services provided by Healthy Hoops include educating participants on appropriate use of medications, providing clinical screenings, and using basketball to effect positive behavioral changes for the entire family.
Goal / Mission
Healthy Hoops uses a holistic approach to not only enhance disease management and health outcomes, but also improve quality of life, helping children live healthy and happier lives.
Results / Accomplishments
Healthy Hoops began as a program targeting childhood asthma, although it has since expanded to address obesity and cardiovascular diseases as well. A 2010 study of participants with asthma found positive outcomes that included a 20% decrease in school absenteeism, a 70% decrease in nocturnal awakenings, and improvements in daily nutrition and self-esteem. The study also showed that use of asthma controller prescriptions increased 44.4%, while rescue medication use decreased by 8.8%. Through providing preventive care, Healthy Hoops has reduced the need for ER visits, inpatient admissions, and specialist visits, which have in turn helped cut healthcare costs.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
AmeriHealth Mercy
Primary Contact
Topics
Health / Children's Health
Health / Respiratory Diseases
Health / Heart Disease & Stroke
Health / Respiratory Diseases
Health / Heart Disease & Stroke
Organization(s)
AmeriHealth Mercy
Date of implementation
2003
Location
USA
For more details
Target Audience
Children, Teens, Families, Racial/Ethnic Minorities