Loma Linda University Health’s Goal 4 Health soccer league engages more than 300 children and their families each year, helping them stay active and learn healthier habits. The program plays a vital role in preventing childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes in San Bernardino County, a community that continues to face significant health disparities, according to the Children’s Hospital Association. During weekly practices, student volunteers lead hands-on lessons about nutrition, exercise and mental health. Families are also connected to local resources like food distributions and community gardens. Since 2010, more than 15,000 children and their families have joined this league, helping them embrace healthier lifestyles while building a sense of community. 

Why We Did It

Loma Linda University Health created Goal 4 Health to address health disparities within its surrounding communities. Since Loma Linda, CA, is one of the five Blue Zones worldwide – a city where people live significantly healthier and longer lives – this league aims to expand that zone beyond its zip code. Goal 4 Health provides kids and their families with a place to be active, build healthy habits and form meaningful social connections – needs that have become especially important in the years following the pandemic. 

To ensure the program is accessible, Goal 4 Health provides scholarships and volunteer opportunities that remove barriers to organized sports for families with limited resources. While the league is open to everyone, the program staff works with community organizations and clinicians to actively recruit families who would benefit the most.