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 611 - 620 of 680 | Export entire research library
A Statewide Program to Test and Reduce Lead in Drinking Water at Schools and Child Cares
Leonard, Laura T.
This study evaluated Colorado’s Test & Fix Water for Kids program, which tested 53,000 fixtures for lead. Seven percent exceeded 5 ppb, often unused post-COVID. Remediation through fixture replacement and signage supports reducing lead exposure…
Keywords: None listed by authors
Persistent transmission of soil-transmitted helminths despite 16 years of uninterrupted Mebendazole- and ivermectin-based preventive chemotherapy in the Lomie Health District (East Region, Cameroon): The emergency of complementary control strategies
Efon-Ekangouo, Arnauld
A cross-sectional study in 10 Cameroonian schools analyzed stool from 491 children using Kato-Katz. STH prevalence was 83.9%, mainly Trichuris trichiura. Poor WASH compliance, despite deworming programs, suggests gaps in current control strategies.
Keywords: None listed by authors
Prevalence of schistosomiasis among school children at Esuekyir community in the Central Region of Ghana
Opoku-Kwabi, Denzel
A cross-sectional study of 246 Ghanaian schoolchildren used urine and stool microscopy to detect schistosomiasis. Urogenital and intestinal infections were 15.5% and 7.0%, respectively, highlighting the need for MDA and improved WASH to reduce…
Keywords: Schistosoma haematobium, s. mansoni, Urogenital schistosomiasis, Intestinal schistosomiasis
A Possible Nocebo Effect in Children Following the Flint Water Crisis: Evidence From Schoolteacher Perceptions and Neuropsychological Evaluations
Roy, Siddhartha
Researchers surveyed Flint and Detroit teachers and reviewed neuropsychological evaluations post-Flint Water Crisis. Flint teachers reported more student harm concerns despite lower lead levels, suggesting a nocebo effect may influence educational…
Keywords: Flint water crisis, Lead poisoning, Negative labeling, Nocebo effect, Teacher perceptions
Impact of a school‑based water and hygiene intervention on child health and school attendance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cluster‑randomised controlled trial
Bick, Sarah
A cluster-randomised trial in 60 Addis Ababa schools assessed WASH interventions among 6,229 children. Respiratory illness fell by 16%, but no effects were seen on diarrhoea or absence, suggesting limited impact of WASH programs on attendance and…
Keywords: School health, Hand hygiene, Water, Respiratory illness, Diarrhoea, School absence, Ethiopia
Effect of Face Mask on Lowering COVID-19 Incidence in School Settings: A Systematic Review
Viera, Luka
Researchers reviewed 14 studies on school mask use and COVID-19 in five countries. Ten found reduced incidence, while others showed no or negative effects. Findings highlight methodological gaps and the need for stronger study designs.
Keywords: COVID-19, Mask mandate, School, children
School holidays and respiratory syncytial virus transmission in Sweden: An interrupted time series analysis
Dallagiacoma, Giulia
Using 2021-2023 national data, researchers applied interrupted time series analysis to assess how school holidays affected RSV in Sweden. A post-fall break drop, especially in infants, was observed, highlighting the complexity of seasonal virus…
Keywords: Bronchiolitis, Child health, Public health, RSV
Within-household SARS-CoV-2 transmission and vaccine effectiveness in the first three COVID-19 school outbreaks in northern Viet Nam, September-December 2021
Vu, Trang Thu
This retrospective cohort study analyzed 157 students and 540 contacts during three COVID-19 outbreaks in Viet Nam. Household secondary attack rate was 24.6%, and vaccine effectiveness was 39%, supporting household vaccination during school…
Keywords: None listed by authors
Survey on pattern of myopia in school children in Hangzhou after the COVID-19 pandemic: a school-based vision screening study
He, Ting
This five-year vision screening study of 79,000 Chinese students tracked myopia trends before, during, and after COVID-19. Results showed a sharp rise during the pandemic, partial recovery, and a recent rebound, with younger children most affected.
Keywords: Myopia, children, COVID-19, Vision screening, Prevalence
SARS-CoV-2 in Mozambican primary school-aged children at Maputo City and Province: a cross-sectional study from a low-income country
Bauhofer, Adilson Fernando Loforte
This cross-sectional study used antigen and antibody tests in 736 Mozambican schoolchildren, finding low active SARS-CoV-2 infection (0.5%) but high antibody prevalence (80.7%). Urban children had higher exposure odds, supporting targeted public…
Keywords: Prevalence, SARS-CoV-2, School-aged children, Maputo-Mozambique