Community-based hydration program for elementary students
Official title: A Community Participatory School-Based Hydration Intervention
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11419204 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A school-based program in a Virginia district uses water access and policies to help kids drink more water instead of sugary drinks, aiming to support health and learning.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $653,573 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD114792-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419204 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 6-11 years attending Title I elementary schools in the participating urban Virginia district.
✕Less likely to help
Children in schools outside the participating district or those with medical conditions needing fluid restrictions may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project partners with a Title I elementary school district to improve hydration among 3rd graders, especially in Black and Latino communities. It uses a participatory approach to adapt a hydration policy and water access, including hydration stations, to fit the school context. A stepped-wedge, cluster randomized design will test how well the program works across 12 matched schools over time, with an emphasis on practical implementation and community input.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce obesity and dental caries risk and support better concentration and learning through improved hydration.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests school-based hydration initiatives can improve water intake and health outcomes, with mixed results depending on implementation.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bean, Melanie K — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Bean, Melanie K
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.