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 131 - 140 of 585 | Export entire research library
The 1978 English boarding school influenza outbreak: where the classic SEIR model fails
Avilov, Konstantin K
Reanalyzing the 1978 English boarding school influenza outbreak, this study shows the classic SEIR model fails to fit observed data, introducing a discrete-time model that better captures the outbreak’s dynamics and improves epidemic modeling…
Keywords: Bayesian epidemic model, Children's pandemic, Delay differential equations, Influenza progression model, Modelling, Residence time
Exposure of school children to particulate matter and inorganic gaseous pollutants in Hawassa city, Ethiopia
Amare, Abebech Nuguse
Using portable monitors, this study measured PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, NO₂, CO, and SO₂ levels in Hawassa, Ethiopia primary schools. Results showed exceedances of WHO limits, poor AQI ratings, and elevated hazard quotients, particularly near busy roads,…
Keywords: Air quality, Ethiopia, Inorganic gaseous pollutants, Particulate matter (PM), Primary schools
Sources and health risks of heavy metals in kindergarten dust: The role of particle size
Wang, Peng
Analyzing Beijing kindergarten dust, the study measures heavy metal concentrations across particle sizes, applying health risk models and source apportionment to reveal that mid-sized dust (DT100) carries the highest contamination, largely from…
Keywords: Health risks, Heavy metals, Kindergarten, Dust, Particle-size effect, Source apportionment
Epidemiology of tinea capitis in primary school children in Bouake, Ivory Coast
Assi, Sb
Researchers assessed 803 primary school children in Bouake, Ivory Coast, for tinea capitis using direct microscopy and culture, finding an 8.7% prevalence. Trichophyton soudanense was the leading dermatophyte. The study compares current infection…
Keywords: Bouake, Epidemiology, Ivory Coast, School children, Tinea capitis, Trichophyton soudanense
SARS-CoV-2 Infections in a Triad of Primary School Learners (Grades 1–7), Their Parents, and Teachers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Protocol for a Cross-Sectional and Nested Case-Cohort Study
Dassaye, Reshmi
This study used a cross-sectional and nested case-cohort design to assess SARS-CoV-2 prevalence, immune response, and long COVID in South African primary schools. Surveys and biological samples informed strategies for COVID-19 management in schools.
Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Learners, Long COVID, Seroprevalence, Transmission dynamics
The Impact of the Indoor Environment on Childhood Asthma
Conroy, Ellen R
Recent studies link indoor aeroallergens and air pollutants to increased asthma morbidity in children. This review summarizes evidence from home and school interventions, finding mixed results and identifying key areas where further research is…
Keywords: Aeroallergen, Air pollution, Asthma, Asthma morbidity, Environment, Environmental intervention
Dietary exposure of school children to aflatoxin and fumonisin through githeri and effectiveness of nixtamalization in reduction of these toxins in githeri from Turkana County
Mannara, Charles
Researchers analyzed githeri meals from 128 Kenyan primary schools for aflatoxin and fumonisin. Forty percent were contaminated, with aflatoxin near national limits. Nixtamalization using Ca(OH)₂ reduced toxins by 70–75%, demonstrating significant…
Keywords:
Activity-based acoustic situations in primary schools: Analyzing classroom noise and listening effort
Seitz, Julia
This study measured noise levels and subjective listening effort in seven German primary schools, analyzing differences across classroom activities and grades; results showed significant variations in noise but no significant differences in reported…
Keywords:
Radon in schools of Montenegro
Vukotic, Perko
Using passive detectors, researchers measured radon in 2,336 rooms across 392 Montenegrin public schools. Some ground-floor rooms exceeded 1,000 Bq/m³. Annual doses averaged 0.66 mSv, with some up to 11 mSv, highlighting potential health risks for…
Keywords:
Effectiveness of interventions to reduce COVID-19 transmission in schools
Pasco, Remy
Using an agent-based model, this study simulated COVID-19 spread in U.S. schools. Combined strategies including screening, masking, and vaccination averted over 80% of infections, offering important guidance for future school-based public health…
Keywords: COVID-19, Public health response, Epidemiological modeling, Asymptomatic screening, Vaccintation, School absence