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 621 - 630 of 680 | Export entire research library
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
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
Daylight and Electric Lighting in Primary and Secondary School Classrooms in the UK—An Observational Study
Price, Luke L. A.
Researchers measured lighting levels, spectrum, and flicker in UK classrooms using loggers and grid assessments. Many rooms lacked recommended daylight exposure, highlighting the need for improved lighting design to support student health and vision.
Keywords: Daylight, Lighting, children, classroom, Myopia, Light logging, Illuminance, Spectrum, Melanopic EDI, Flicker
School knowledge of infectious diseases in schools: conducting surveillance and on-demand, symptomatic respiratory viral testing in a large pre-kindergarten-12th grade school district
Schuster, Jennifer E.
This study used surveillance and PCR testing on 6,315 respiratory specimens from a Missouri school district, with 28% testing positive. Results show that school-based surveillance can detect outbreaks early and support effective public health…
Keywords: Acute respiratory illness, Respiratory virus, School, Students, Teachers, Surveillance
Prevalence, Infection Intensity, and Risk Factors for Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections among School Children in Northwestern Tanzania
Justine, Nyanda C.
A cross-sectional survey of 728 students in Kagera, Tanzania used Kato-Katz and questionnaires to assess STH infections (56.2%) and risk factors like hygiene and maternal occupation. Findings support targeted deworming and hygiene education to…
Keywords: None listed by authors
Long-term surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in the school community from Campo Grande, Brazil
Alcantara, Daniel Maximo Correa
Researchers used RT-qPCR and sequencing in 23 Campo Grande schools to track SARS-CoV-2 in students and staff from 2021-2022. Findings highlight the importance of long-term school-based surveillance to inform public health response and preparedness.
Keywords: School community, school closure, Epidemiology, Genomic surveillance, Pandemic
Hearing Health at School: analysis of knowledge, behaviors and attitudes of Southern-Brazilian children and adolescents on noise
Gondim, Lys Maria Allestein
This cross-sectional study assessed hearing health habits of 1,835 6th-grade students in 32 Brazilian public schools. Results showed risky noise behaviors, low awareness of hearing protection, and links between age, sex, and tinnitus symptoms.
Keywords: Noise, Health risk behaviors, Tinnitus, Noise-induced hearing loss, School health services
Unequal Health Burden from Air Pollution among Minors in Education
Wu, Yangyang
Using 12 million health records and satellite-modeled PM2.5, this study analyzed absenteeism at 10,358 schools. A 10 μg/m³ PM2.5 rise was linked to a 4.1% increase in absences, with stronger effects in poorly built schools, highlighting…
Keywords: None listed by authors
The effectiveness of a school-based protocol for environmental cleaning and disinfection during a pandemic: a randomized controlled pilot study
Or, Peggy Pui-Lai
A three-arm randomized trial tested a school cleaning protocol using markers and swabs. Group A (training + wipes) achieved full cleanliness, outperforming training-only and control groups, showing that training plus materials improves cleaning…
Keywords: School health, Cleaning method, Disposable wipes, Cleaning staff, Fluorescent mark
Invasive Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Disease Outbreak at an Elementary School — Michigan, May 2023
Weinberg, Meghan M.
A May 2023 outbreak of invasive nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae at a Detroit elementary school involved four kindergarteners and one death. Public health teams led contact tracing and prophylaxis, underscoring the need for rapid outbreak response.
Keywords: None listed by authors