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    Renaissance E.M.S. is a 501(c) organization, all donations are "tax deductible"

    2011 Season
    Focus on Health: Fitness

    The MWAM band is back from a strong 60 shows played in the five boroughs of New York City. They've got another fantastic focus for their songs: health and fitness. The shows have already started! Check out our show schedule. Alternatively, the dates will be constantly updated on the home page so you're in the know.

    In the United States:

    • About ~300,000 people die because of obesity
    • There are an average of 2.4 million deaths a year, making fitness issues nearly 10% of deaths: that's a lot!

    Lack of fitness can start from a young age:

    • 16% of kids are obese
    • They have an 80% chance of becoming obese adults!

    These numbers are highly influenced by parents:

    • Having one obese parent gives the child a 50% chance of being obese
    • Make it two parents, it goes up to a whopping 80%.

    Despite these factors, it's never too late to change up the habits. Parents, take note: you have a big influence on your kid. If you can start a healthy plan for the family, everyone will benefit from it by reducing health issues (and you'll lose those extra pounds you don't want!)

    • Joining a sport is a great idea, especially at a young age. It will reinforce healthy habits.
    • Have the kids join with friends! They need encouragement not only from parents, but from peers, too. Having a huge following is an amazing incentive for kids to keep at it.
    • It's not much they have to do. Average recommended exercise for kids is 20-30 minutes for about 2-3 days. Most sport coaches demand more which is even better!
    • Pick healthy choices for kids. There are a lot of tasty snacks that can keep hunger at bay while eating smart.

    2010 Season
    Focus on Health: Asthma

    In 2010, the MWAM band played over 60 shows in the five boroughs of New York City, Long Island and New Jersey. The 2010 Health Initiative focused on asthma awareness. Check out images from 2010 in our photos section.

     

    Asthma Facts:

    Asthma continues to be a serious public health problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

    • About 23 million people, including almost 7 million children, have asthma.
    • Asthma prevalence is higher among families with lower incomes.
    • 12 Million people report having an asthma attack in the past year.
    • Asthma accounts for nearly 17 million physician office and hospital visits, and nearly 2 million emergency department visits each year.


    African Americans continue to have higher rates of asthma emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths than do Caucasians:

    • The rate of emergency department visits is 350% higher.
    • The hospitalization rate is 240% higher.
    • The asthma death rate is 200% higher.


    Approximately 2 millioin Hispanics in the U.S. have asthma and Puerto Ricans are disproportionately impacted:

    • The rate of asthma among Puerto Ricans is 125% higher than non-Hispanic white people and 80% higher that non-Hispanic black people.
    • The prevalence of asthma attacks is highest among Puerto Ricans.


    Asthma in Children:

    • Asthma is one of the most common serious chronic diseased of childhood.
    • Asthma is the third-ranking cause of hospitalization among children under 15.
    • Asthma in children is the cause of seven million physician visits and nearly 200,000 hospitalizations.
    • An average of one out of every 10 school-aged child has asthma.
    • 13 million school days are missed each year due to asthma.

     

    The Cost of Asthma:

    • Annual expenditures for health and lost productivity due to asthma are estimated at over $20 billion, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.


    Research by EPA and others has shown that:

    • Dust mites, molds, cockroaches, pet dander, and secondhand smoke trigger asthma attacks.
    • Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause asthma in preschool aged children.
    • Exposure to dust mites can cause asthma.
    • Ozone and particle pollution can cause asthma attacks. 

     

    When ozone levels are high, more people with asthma have asthma attacks that require a doctor’s attention. Ozone makes people more sensitive to asthma triggers such as pet dander, pollen, dust mites, and mold.

    LEARN MORE AT www.epa.gov/asthma

     

    2009 Season:
    Pilot Year

    2009 was the pilot year for the Music With A Message program, and included the construction of the MWAM truck used for performances across New York City and the region. Check out our photos from 2009.