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 111 - 120 of 355 | Export entire research library
Impact of noise-attenuating headphones on participation in the home, community, and school for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Pfieffer, Beth
Participants identified that the use of noise-attenuat-
ing headphones increased participation in home, community, and
school settings. Barriers and benefits were identified for both around-
ear and in-ear headphones.…
Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Barriers, Benefits, Headphones, Noise attenuation, Participation
Social disparities in exposure to noise at public schools in the contiguous United States
Collins, Timothy
We found that those attending schools most highly exposed to road noise or aviation noise were significantly more likely to be eligible for free/reduced price meals (economically deprived), and to be Hispanic, black, or Asian/Pacific Islander (API…
Keywords: Noise pollution, Children, Public schools, Environmental justice
Classroom acoustics as a consideration for inclusive education in South Africa
Reenen, Coralie
Noise is disadvantageous for learners, particularly those with sensory, language or
learning impairments. Research and international guidelines show that the ideal ambient level
is 30 dBA – 35 dBA, allowing the achievement of an ideal…
Keywords:
Pilot study of a novel classroom designed to prevent myopia by increasing children's exposure to outdoor light
Zhou, Zhongqiang
The median (Inter Quartile Range) light intensity in the BC (2,540 [1,330–4,060] lux) was greater than the TC (477 [245–738] lux, P < 0.001), though less than outdoors (19,500 [8,960–36,000] lux, P < 0.001). A prominent spectral peak at 490–…
Keywords:
Health Risks and Potential Sources of Contamination of Groundwater Used by Public Schools in Vhuronga 1, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Odito, John Ogony
All physical and most chemical water quality parameters were within guidelines for domestic water use. A high proportion of schools had high levels of microbial organisms. Risks of infection per day were relatively low for all schools. The annual…
Keywords: Agricultural activities, Contamination, Groundwater quality, Health risks, Pit latrines, School children
Short-term effect of air pollution on attention function in adolescents (ATENC!Ó): A randomized controlled trial in high schools in Barcelona, Spain
Gignac, Florence
Average levels of PM2.5 and black carbon throughout the 1.5 h of experiment were 89% and 87%, respectively, lower in the classrooms with air cleaner than in the control classrooms. No differences were found in the median of HRT-SE between classrooms…
Keywords: Air pollution, Adolescents, Attention, Randomised control trial, High school
Predicting virologically confirmed influenza using school absences in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA during the 2007-2015 influenza seasons
Quandelacy, Talia M
School districts reported 2 184 220 all-cause absences (2010-2015). Three one-season studies reported 19 577 all-cause and 3012 ILI-related absences (2007, 2012, 2015). Over seven seasons, 11 946 confirmed influenza cases were reported. Absences…
Keywords: Human influenza, Prediction, School-aged children, Surveillance
Ocular symptoms and tear film break up time (BUT) among junior high school students in Penang, Malaysia – Associations with fungal DNA in school dust
Norbäck, Dan
A total of 368 students (58%) participated and 17.4% reported weekly eye symptoms the last 3 months. The median SBUT and TBUT were 15 and 12 s, respectively. Students wearing glasses (OR 2.41, p = 0.01) and with a history of atopy (OR = 2.67; p = 0.…
Keywords: Tear film break up time, Eye symptoms, Mold, School environment, Fungal dna
Determining public perceptions of a proposed national heat protection policy for Australian schools
Hyndman, Brendon
Themes that emerged to support a national heat protection policy for schools included: protection from the consequences of extreme heat, reliance of children on adult/school decisions and utilising modern knowledge/technology advancements. In…
Keywords: Education, Heat policy, Protection, School, Wellbeing
School environmental factors are predictive for exercise-induced symptoms in children
Stelmach, Iwona
1033 participants were included into the analysis. Sixty seven(6.5%) children reported dyspnea/cough, and in 94(9.4%) children bronchoconstriction induced during PE lesson was documented. There is a correlation between the results of the ETC and…
Keywords: Exercise-induced cough, Exercise-induced bronchospasm, PE classes, Schoolchildren