Your Health Check-In Status

A lot of things and a lot of ailments that we have in the male community is preventable. If you're a man, take a minute to ask yourself: when's the last time you went to the doctor?Jerome Moss, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Hoop for Coop

Jerome Moss still remembers the exact moment he learned his friend Coop was gone. They were playing basketball. Cooper made a pass — a nice one, someone scored — and then he just collapsed. He was 34 years old. The day before, Moss had canceled his own doctor's appointment.

'For him to go that way was like wow,' Moss said. That guilt, that grief, became the fuel for something bigger. Hoop for Coop launched as a way to honor Cooper's memory while confronting a problem Moss saw everywhere: men — especially Black men — avoiding medical care until it was too late.

How Much Do You Know About Men's Health Risk?

Five quick questions. Real answers.

At what age can men start experiencing serious heart attack risk?

• After 60 — Actually, risk begins rising much earlier. Men in their 30s and 40s can — and do — have fatal cardiac events, as Coop's story tragically shows.
• After 50 — Risk does increase with age, but heart disease can strike men in their 30s. Early screening is key.
• Their 30s and 40s — Correct. Kimyata Cooper was 34. Heart disease doesn't wait — and many risk factors are preventable with early detection.
• Only with family history — Family history matters, but lifestyle, blood pressure, and cholesterol are risk factors any man can develop regardless of genetics.

How often should adult men get a general health checkup?

• Every year — Yes — annual checkups catch issues early, when they're most treatable. Blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose can all be managed if caught in time.
• Every 5 years — That's too long a gap. A lot can change in five years — and many conditions show no symptoms until they're serious.
• Only when something hurts — This is the most dangerous approach. Many serious conditions — including heart disease and diabetes — are silent until they cause a crisis.
• Every 2–3 years — Better than nothing, but annual is the gold standard. Many preventable conditions develop quickly.

What percentage of leading causes of men's deaths are considered preventable?

• About 20% — Much higher, unfortunately. The good news: most of the leading killers of men — heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes — respond well to early intervention.
• About 40% — Closer, but health experts estimate the share of preventable male deaths is significantly higher when lifestyle and screening factors are accounted for.
• More than half — Correct. The majority of conditions killing men prematurely are preventable or manageable with regular care. That's exactly what Hoop for Coop is built around.
• None — genetics determines everything — Genetics play a role, but lifestyle, diet, stress management, and regular screenings have enormous impact on outcomes.

Men account for what share of suicide deaths in the U.S.?

• About 30% — The real number is much higher. Men are far less likely to seek mental health care — one reason events like Hoop for Coop intentionally include mental wellness resources.
• About 50% — It's actually higher. Men account for roughly 4 in 5 suicide deaths — a crisis often linked to stigma around seeking help.
• Nearly 80% — Correct. Men die by suicide at nearly 4x the rate of women. Mental health is a core part of the Hoop for Coop mission, not an afterthought.
• About 65% — Close — the actual figure is closer to 80%. Men face unique barriers to seeking mental health support, which is why inclusive events matter.

What's the #1 reason men cite for skipping doctor visits?

• Cost / No insurance — Cost is real — which is why free community events like Hoop for Coop offering 250+ screenings matter so much. But research points to something even more common.
• 'I feel fine' — Exactly. The 'I feel fine' mindset is the leading barrier — and the most dangerous one. Many serious conditions have no symptoms until a crisis occurs.
• No time — Time is a real barrier, especially for working men. But 'I feel fine' tends to rank even higher. Events that meet men where they are — like Hoop for Coop — help break this pattern.
• Fear of bad news — Fear of diagnosis is real and often unspoken. Creating comfortable, community-centered environments — like a basketball event — is designed to lower exactly this barrier.

Bishop Cameron Nelson has played in the Hoop for Coop tournament for three straight years. He's honest about why he needs it. 'Sometimes I may somewhat slack off a little bit,' he said, 'but I have people like my brother Moss that continues to put this event together so we can know our status and our numbers.'

That candor is exactly what Moss is going for. The event isn't just for athletes. It's for any man — young or old, in shape or not — who needs a nudge to pay attention to his health. More than 40 vendors and community partners will be on hand Saturday, offering screenings and wellness information covering both physical and mental care.

How Hoop for Coop Grew From Grief to Movement

• May 2016 — Kimyata 'Coop' Cooper dies of a heart attack while playing basketball. He is 34 years old.
• 2016 — Jerome Moss — who had canceled his own doctor's appointment the day before — vows to do something in Coop's name.
• Year 1 — The first Hoop for Coop Men's Health Fair and Basketball Tip-Off launches in Akron, combining sport with free health screenings.
• Years 2–8 — The event grows annually, expanding its vendor network, screening capacity, and community reach across Summit County.
• This Saturday — 9th Annual event at Firestone Community Learning Center — 40+ vendors, 250+ screenings, 24 teams, 200+ players. Free, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

What's Happening at Hoop for Coop vs. A Typical Health Fair

Hoop for Coop By the Numbers

• 9 — Years Running
• 250+ — Free Screenings
• 40+ — Vendors on Site
• 34 — Coop's Age at Death
• 24 — Competing Teams
• 200+ — Registered Players

Nearly a decade in, Moss says the work has only deepened his sense of urgency. 'The more you do, the more you learn, the more God opens your eyes, the more burden you see of what's still out there and needs to be done,' he said.

That burden — and that drive — is what keeps Hoop for Coop growing. What started as one man's way of processing grief has become a community institution, one that shows up for the men of Summit County in a language they understand: the game.

The day before Coop died, I had canceled my doctor's appointment. For him to go that way was like wow.Jerome Moss, Hoop for Coop Co-Founder

How to Make the Most of Hoop for Coop Saturday

1. Show Up — That's Step One — Firestone Community Learning Center, Akron. Doors open 11 a.m., runs until 7 p.m. No appointment, no cost. Just show up.
2. Get Your Numbers Checked — Blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol — 250+ screenings are available. These are the numbers that save lives. Ask for every one you qualify for.
3. Talk to the Mental Health Partners — More than 40 vendors include mental wellness resources. Men's mental health is part of the mission. It's a safe space — use it.
4. Bring Another Man With You — A son, a brother, a friend who hasn't been to the doctor in years. The event works best as a shared experience — and accountability starts with showing up together.
5. Schedule Your Follow-Up — Use the information and referrals from the fair to book a real doctor's appointment. The goal isn't just one day — it's a habit.

Get There This Saturday

• Firestone Community Learning Center — Akron: 9th Annual Hoop for Coop Men's Health Fair and Basketball Tip-Off. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Completely free.
• 250+ Free Health Screenings: Blood pressure, diabetes, heart health, mental wellness and more. No insurance required. No appointment needed.
• 40+ Community Partners On-Site: Vendors from across Summit County covering physical and mental health care, community resources, and wellness information.
• Can't Make It? Find Free Screenings Near You: Call 211 (United Way) to find free or low-cost health screenings and clinics in your area any time of year.

Why Men Avoid the Doctor — And What Changes That

Research consistently shows men are less likely than women to seek preventive care, more likely to wait until symptoms are severe, and less likely to report mental health struggles. The reasons are layered: cultural messaging around toughness, distrust of medical institutions (particularly in communities of color), cost and insurance barriers, and the simple belief that 'I feel fine' equals 'I am fine.'

Community-based events like Hoop for Coop work because they strip away the barriers one by one. The setting is familiar. The people around you look like you. The activity — basketball — is something you already love. And the screening happens alongside something fun, making it feel less like a medical appointment and more like a community gathering.

Jerome Moss didn't design Hoop for Coop by studying behavior science. He designed it by knowing his community. That instinct — meet men where they are, in spaces where they're comfortable — is exactly what public health experts now recommend for closing the men's healthcare gap.

Common Excuses — Checked

'I feel fine, so I don't need a checkup.'

Verdict: false

Many of the most serious conditions — high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, early-stage heart disease — have no noticeable symptoms. Kimyata Cooper felt fine enough to play basketball the day he died at 34.

'Health fairs aren't really for me — they're for sick people.'

Verdict: false

Health screenings are specifically designed for people who feel healthy. Early detection of silent conditions is exactly the point. Hoop for Coop is designed around athletes and active men — people who consider themselves healthy.

'These screenings are just basic stuff — nothing that can really help me.'

Verdict: mostly false

Blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol screenings are exactly what can prevent a heart attack. They're basic because they work. Knowing your numbers gives you the chance to act before a crisis does.

'Men's mental health resources aren't relevant for me.'

Verdict: mostly false

Men die by suicide at nearly 4x the rate of women. Stress, isolation, and untreated depression are epidemic in the male community — and most men suffering never seek help. The resources exist. The hard part is walking through the door.