Improving access to drinking water in schools to promote better health for children.
Official title: Advancing Water Security: A Community Participatory School-Based Hydration Intervention
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-10857857 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping kids drink more water instead of sugary drinks at school, so they can stay hydrated and healthier, especially those who might not have easy access to water.
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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $653,598 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD114792-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10857857 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years, particularly those attending Title I elementary schools in economically deprived communities.
✕Less likely to help
Children who do not attend participating schools or those who are not within the targeted age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing hydration among children by promoting the consumption of drinking water over sugar-sweetened beverages in schools. It involves a community participatory approach where local schools collaborate to identify barriers to hydration and implement solutions, such as installing water refill stations. The program aims to improve hydration practices and reduce obesity and dental caries, particularly in marginalized youth. By using a randomized controlled trial, the effectiveness of this intervention will be evaluated across several elementary schools.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for children by reducing obesity and dental issues through better hydration practices.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that school-based hydration interventions can effectively improve children's beverage choices and health outcomes, indicating a promising approach.
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
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.