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 31 - 40 of 585 | Export entire research library
Exploration of the effects of classroom humidity levels on teachers’ respiratory symptoms
Angelon‑Gaetz, Kim A.
Longitudinal study in North Carolina schools linked classroom humidity levels with respiratory symptoms in teachers. Data suggest prolonged high or low humidity may modestly increase asthma-like or allergy symptoms.
Keywords: Teachers, Asthma, Allergies, Longitudinal study, Workplace, Classroom humidity
Differences in teachers’ satisfaction with indoor environmental quality and their well-being in new, renovated and non-renovated schools
Sadick, Abdul-Manan
Surveyed teachers in 32 Canadian schools to assess IEQ satisfaction and well-being across building types. Renovated and new schools showed higher IEQ satisfaction. Suggests IEQ upgrades may indirectly improve staff well-being.
Keywords: Indoor environmental quality, Maintenance, Renovations, Teachers, Well being
Numerical study on effect of thermal regulation performance of winter uniform on thermal responses of high school student
Su, Yun
Numerical modeling study simulated thermal response of high school students under indoor and outdoor winter conditions. Results show school uniform layering methods influence skin temperature and comfort. Supports uniform design for thermal…
Keywords: Numerical model, Thermal regulation, Wearing method, School uniform, Physiological reaction
Experimental investigation of the effect of indoor air temperature on students' learning performance under the summer conditions in China
Wang, Dengjia
Controlled summer study tested students’ learning, perception, and physiological responses under varied temperatures. Optimal performance occurred when students felt slightly warm. Results inform thermal design of rural classrooms.
Keywords: Indoor air temperature, Learning performance, Students, Thermal perception
A study on pupils' learning performance and thermal comfort of primary schools in China
Jiang, Jing
Experimental study in Chinese primary schools tested learning performance and thermal comfort under six indoor temperature conditions. Optimal performance occurred at 14°C. Suggests revised comfort range for students.
Keywords: Cold environment, Pupils, Classroom temperature, Thermal comfort, Learning performance
A field study of adaptive thermal comfort in primary and secondary school classrooms during winter season in Northwest China
Jiang, Jing
Field data from winter classrooms in Northwest China assessed thermal comfort in pupils aged 9–11. Results revealed lower preferred temperatures and adaptation to cold. Study informs localized heating design for rural schools.
Keywords: indoor thermal environment, Adaptive thermal comfort, Field investigation, Classrooms, Cold climate
A field investigation on adaptive thermal comfort in school buildings in the temperate climatic region of Nepal
Shrestha, Mishan
A field study of 818 students in Nepal assessed thermal comfort in naturally ventilated classrooms. Most felt comfortable at around 27 degrees Celsius. Clothing behavior influenced perception. Findings support adaptive comfort models to inform local…
Keywords: Thermal comfort, Students, Naturally ventilated school, Thermal perception, Comfort temperature, Clothing insulation
Stories of success: a qualitative examination of contributors to excellence in school drinking water access
Cooper, Amanda Y.
Qualitative interviews in California public schools explored barriers and facilitators to excellent drinking water access. Six key themes emerged. Results suggest targeted staffing, coordination, and community support are essential for school water…
Keywords: Qualitative research, Child health, Public health, Water consumption, Primary schools, Secondary schools
"Development and Validation of a Photo-Evidence Tool to Examine Characteristics of Effective Drinking Water Access in Schools"
Patel, Anisha I.
Researchers validated a photo-evidence tool by comparing direct observations with coded photos of 200 school water sources. Strong agreement was found for most quality indicators. Supports scalable water access assessments.
Keywords: Nutrition and diet, School health policy, Public health, Water access, Water at school, Photo evidence
Training High School Student ‘‘Citizen Scientists’’ to Document School Water Access: A Feasibility Study
Walkinshaw, Lina Pinero
High school students were trained to document water access at 40 schools using a validated photo-evidence protocol. 99% of photos were usable. Shows feasibility of youth-led observational methods for water access surveillance.
Keywords: Water access, Citizen science, Beverages, Water, School health