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 121 - 130 of 355 | Export entire research library
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
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:
Evaluation of drinking water quality in schools in a District Area in Hanoi, Vietnam
Hung, Dang The
All of the schools employed community water system as a main source for drinking water. The results showed that all tested samples were found to be within the standards for some physicochemical properties, including Color, Taste and Odor, Hardness…
Keywords: Drinking water, Tap water, Water quality, Chemicals, Microbes, Hanoi, Vietnam
Variability in exposure to ambient ultrafine particles in urban schools: Comparative assessment between Australia and Spain
Mazaheri, Mandana
The trends and modes of the quantified weekday average daily cycles of ambient PNC exhibited significant differences between the two cities. PNC increases were observed during traffic rush hours in both cases. However, the mid-day peak was dominant…
Keywords: Ambient particles, Exposure, New particle formation, Urban environmental, High isolation areas
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
Is direct-drinking water safe for children? An analysis of direct-drinking water quality and its risk factors in Shanghai elementary and middle schools
Hu, Fen
Results showed that the CFU, residual chlorine, COD, and turbidity of direct-drinking water in Shanghai elementary and middle schools ranged from <LOD->300 cfu/mL, <LOD-0.670 mg/L, 0.090–2.710 mg/L, and 0.100–2.050 NTU, respectively. The…
Keywords: Direct drinking water, Elementary and middle school, Children, Water safety, Health
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
Long-term perceptions of outdoor thermal environments in an elementary school in a hot-humid climate
Shih, Wen-Mei
During summer months, the physiological equivalent temperature (PET) of these outdoor spaces in over 60% of the daytime in summer between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. was higher than 38 °C PET, indicating high heat stress. The results of occupants’ long-term…
Keywords: Thermal comfort, Pet, Sky view factor, Long-term thermal perceptions
Is School Type Associated with Objectively Measured Physical Activity in 15-Year-Olds?
Štefan, Lovro
Males and females from grammar schools achieved higher total daily energy expenditure (TEE) and active energy expenditure (AEE) compared to their peers from vocational schools (TEE: 50 ± 12 kcal/kg/day vs. 47 ± 12 kcal/kg/day, p = 0.02; AEE: 23 ± 5…
Keywords: Children, Adolescents, Epidemiology, Sensewear armband, High school type, Energy expenditure