Nemours announced the opening of The Body Theater, made possible by a donation by AstraZeneca to the Nemours Partnership for Children’s Health. The Body Theater, located in a busy outpatient waiting area in the hospital, will feature hours of engaging, child-oriented content on a 50-inch, flat-screen display. The initial focus is asthma, a condition that affects more than one in five children.
In the United States, more than 20 million people have asthma. It is the second most common chronic disease in children and the number one reason for chronic school absences. Asthma flare-ups are the most common cause of pediatric emergency room visits due to a chronic illness.
Content for The Body Theater, which includes video, games, fun quizzes and mystery pictures, was developed by the Nemours Center for Children’s Health Media, creators of the award-winning children’s health website, KidsHealth.org. “At Nemours, we view the time spent in waiting rooms as a great opportunity to teach the families we serve about health,” says Neil Izenberg, MD, Chief Executive and Founder of the Center. “KidsHealth is expert in teaching families in an entertaining way, and we know that kids learn if their imaginations are engaged. Nemours could not have developed this project without the support of AstraZeneca and their dedication to families and to children’s health.”
David Nicoli, Vice President for Corporate Affairs at AstraZeneca, says, “The Body Theater represents a wonderful synergy between our two organizations. AstraZeneca is very excited to have the experts of the Nemours Center for Children’s Health Media creating entertaining, educational content about asthma available to children and families. When children have a better understanding of how to manage their asthma and parents can make more informed decisions about care, everybody wins. AstraZeneca is proud to participate in such a meaningful initiative.”