Improving the Conduct of Health-Related Research in Schools.

Background: Schools serve not only as centers of education but also as critical environments for social development and promoting health and well-being of children and adolescents. Conducting health-related research in school settings offers valuable opportunities to identify current health challenges and assess preventive and interventional strategies. Analysis: Researchers face several challenges when conducting health-related research in schools, including communication barriers, complex coordination among relevant stakeholders, and limited resources. Policy Options: This policy brief, with a special focus on Switzerland, highlighted main challenges and presented options derived from literature, semi-structured interviews, and a stakeholder dialogue to address them. The dialogue included representatives from youth, parents, teachers, school principals, school authorities, and researchers. The results emphasize key options in three main areas: (i) recruitment and motivation, (ii) retention and incentives, and (iii) partnerships and collaboration. Conclusion: Many of the proposed options do not require large-scale political shifts nor national-level policy changes but can directly be applied in schools and research settings, emphasizing their practical applicability and potential for immediate impact. Ultimately, implementing these options in health-related research in schools can contribute to long-term health and well-being of future generations.