Gasol Foundation USA Partners with UCLA CTSI Community Engagement & Research Program

On October 16, the Gasol Foundation USA celebrated the launch of its Healthy Habits for Life Intervention Study at the UCLA Renee Luskin Conference Center, bringing together researchers, community partners, and collaborators to mark an exciting milestone in advancing children's health and well-being across Los Angeles County.

Founded by NBA champions Pau and Marc Gasol, the Gasol Foundation is dedicated to reducing childhood obesity and promoting healthier lifestyles among children and families. The Healthy Habits for Life initiative takes a family-centered approach to helping children ages 8–11 develop lifelong healthy behaviors through four key pillars: physical activity, healthy eating, emotional well-being, and sleep. Building on a study previously conducted successfully in Spain, this initiative represents the first U.S. implementation of the intervention.

CERP is proud to partner with the Gasol Foundation USA, guiding the research team’s role in the project. In addition to evaluating outcomes, the team will work closely with community partners to understand local needs, identify barriers and determine how the program can be adapted for Southern California families and sustained over time. The evaluation will examine not only what works, but also what challenges communities face and what resources are needed to make healthy behaviors more accessible. The study will also engage local YMCA and Downey Unified School District (DUSD) partners, whose facilities will serve as implementation sites, helping bring the intervention directly to children and families in their communities.

The launch featured engaging panel discussions highlighting the importance of research, community partnerships, and collaborative approaches to improving children's health. Featured panelists included Dr. Arleen Brown, CERP Co-Lead, alongside Dr. Tonikiaa Orange, Director of the Educational Leadership Program and the Culture and Equity Project at the UCLA School of Education & Information Studies (Ed&IS); and Dianne Chaves, Vice President, Youth Development at the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles.

The event was well attended by the CERP team, including Drs. Arleen Brown, Keith Norris, Alejandra Casillas, and Savanna Carson, along with Stefanie Vassar, Karina Ramirez, Brianna Smith, Juan Barron, Maria Morales, Jachael Gardner, Michael Coffee, and Sarmen Hakopian.

A special thank-you to Karina Ramirez for her leadership in coordinating CERP's planning efforts and helping make the launch a success. We also extend our sincere appreciation to Pau Gasol, Gasol Foundation USA Executive Director Lidia Estrada, Noemi Hernandez, and the entire Gasol Foundation team for their vision, partnership, and dedication to improving the health of children and families. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Gasol Foundation, DUSD and YMCA partners as Healthy Habits for Life moves forward, translating research into meaningful opportunities for healthier communities.