William H. Farquhar Middle School, Olney, MD. Photo credit: Patrick Ross
School Health Research Library
We have curated a library of peer-reviewed scientific studies from around the world published since 2016, focusing on the school built environment and occupant health and performance. This research builds on the 2017 Schools for Health: Foundations for Student Success report released by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health that synthesizes foundational research about school indoor environmental quality impacts on students and staff.
To help translate this research into action in schools, we have compiled School Health Research Highlights to help school staff and leaders access key findings and actionable strategies on priority topics.
Displaying 101 - 110 of 585 | Export entire research library
Influence of classroom acoustics on the reading speed: A case study on Italian second-graders
Puglisi, Giuseppina Emma
This study assessed Italian second-graders’ reading speed under different classroom acoustic conditions, showing that better speech clarity correlated with faster reading rates.
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Negative effect of acoustic panels on listening effort in a classroom environment
Amlani, Amyn M.
This study tested the impact of acoustic panels on third-grade students’ listening effort, finding that despite reduced noise, panels increased cognitive load at distant seats.
Keywords: Acoustic panels, Classroom acoustics, Dual-task paradigm, Listening effort, Speech transmission index
Speech perception in classroom acoustics by children with hearing loss and wearing hearing aids
Iglehart, Frank
This study compared speech perception by children with hearing aids in classrooms with different reverberation times; findings support stricter acoustic standards to improve learning outcomes.
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Perceptions of public primary school teachers regarding noise-induced hearing loss in South Africa
Ehlert, Katerina
This study surveyed South African primary teachers on noise-induced hearing loss, revealing high awareness but limited resources; findings support the implementation of hearing conservation programs and targeted teacher training.
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School sessions are correlated with seasonal outbreaks of medically attended respiratory infections: electronic health record time series analysis, Wisconsin 2004–2011
Temte, J. L.
Time series analysis of ARI diagnoses from Wisconsin clinics showed increased risk when schools were in session; findings inform public health outbreak interventions.
Keywords: Influenza, Respiratory infections , Transmission
Ventilation procedures to minimize the airborne transmission of viruses in classrooms
Stabile, Luca
Mass balance simulations quantified air exchange rates needed to keep SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk low in classrooms; results support CO₂-based feedback ventilation controls, offering actionable strategies for reducing airborne virus spread in…
Keywords: Exhaled CO2, Virus transmission, Air exchange rate, Ventilation, Schools, SARS-CoV-2
Environmental Exposures Impact Pediatric Asthma Within the School Environment
Mortelliti, Caroline
Review summarizes evidence on school allergens, pollutants, and pediatric asthma; reports mixed outcomes from school interventions; stresses need for improved school IAQ strategies to reduce asthma risk in vulnerable children.
Keywords: School inner-city asthma study (SICAS), Pediatrics, Indoor allergens, Allergen exposure, childhood asthma, School-based interventions, Integrated pest management, HEPA filter
Current asthma, respiratory symptoms and airway infections among students in relation to the school and home environment in Japan
Takaoka, Motoko
Questionnaire and environmental measurements in Japanese junior high schools linked high humidity, student density, and airborne cat allergens to airway infections; findings underscore need for better indoor air quality in schools.
Keywords: Asthma, Respiratory symptoms, Airway infection, Students, Japan
Effectiveness of Using Enhanced Filters in Schools and Homes to Reduce Indoor Exposures to PM2.5 from Outdoor Sources and Subsequent Health Benefits for Children with Asthma
Martenies, Sheena
Probabilistic models estimated Detroit school/home PM2.5 reductions using enhanced filters; results showed 13% cut in asthma burden for children. Efficient school filtration is a potentially cost-effective public health intervention.
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Onset of Respiratory Symptoms Among Chinese Students: Associations With Dampness and Redecoration, PM₁₀, NO₂, SO₂, and Inadequate Ventilation in the School
Li, Tian
Two-year cohort study of 1,325 Chinese junior high students examined dampness, redecoration, and indoor pollutants; found links between school environmental factors and respiratory symptom onset, highlighting school air quality intervention needs.
Keywords: Air pollution, Children, Indoor, Longitudinal study, Particulate matter (PM), Respiratory symptoms