Healthy Schools - Impact Story
Translation & Impact What We Do Impact Unit

Healthy Schools

Transforming school environments for children’s health and well-being

Photo: Paula Jaume / Ajuntament de Barcelona (1); Alex Losada / Ajuntament de Barcelona (2)

The BREATHE project, led by ISGlobal, was the first to measure traffic-related pollution in Barcelona schools and reveal its harmful effects on children’s cognitive development. This research raised public awareness, empowered civil society organisations, and inspired the ‘Protegim les Escoles’ ('Let's protect schools') campaign, which successfully reduced traffic around 217 schools. BREATHE’s findings strongly contributed to the approval of a non-legislative motion in Congress advocating for Safe and Healthy School Environments. Additionally, the research has influenced reports by major international organisations such as the WHO, UNICEF, World Bank, and OECD, pushing for cleaner air for children.

What is the problem?

According to the WHO, 99% of the global population lives in areas with unhealthy air, entailing dire consequences for children’s health and development. Before BREATHE, there was limited understanding of how air and noise pollution affects cognitive functions in children. The need to quantify this impact and inform effective policies became evident, as there was growing concern about the detrimental effects of pollution on children's educational outcomes and overall well-being.

Key facts

2,687 children participated in the BREATHE study
217 schools benefited from traffic reduction
283% increase in children playing in the streets

What did our researchers do?

In 2011, ISGlobal (then CREAL) launched the BREATHE study (BRain dEvelopment and Air polluTion ultrafine particles in scHool childrEn), the largest of its kind, to investigate how traffic-related air pollution in schools affects children's neurodevelopment. Partnering with IDAE-CSIC and NEUROVOXEL, the study measured air pollution exposure directly in classrooms and playgrounds and assessed cognitive development using computer tests and brain imaging.

The study involved 39 schools, 265 classrooms, and 2,687 children in Barcelona and Sant Cugat. Throughout the year, researchers regularly tested cognitive capacity in schoolchildren and measured levels of NO2, ultrafine particles and carbon in selected classrooms. They also assessed noise levels and green spaces at schools. Key findings revealed that children attending schools with higher pollution levels showed slower cognitive growth (7.4% vs. 11.5% in less polluted schools), and that even daily pollution fluctuations had an impact on their attention capacity. Exposure to green spaces was linked to better cognitive development, while traffic noise at school slowed working memory and reduced attentiveness. An additional discovery was that children received 20% of their daily black carbon dose during their commute to school, despite this period accounting for only 6% of their day.

What changes has our research contributed to?

Raised awareness and empowerment among citizens and decision-makers 

The BREATHE project generated new, high-quality data on traffic-related pollution in Barcelona schools and its impact on children’s cognitive development. This information raised awareness among schools, citizens, and policymakers, empowering movements to demand healthier environments.

For instance, some participating schools like Escola Betània Patmos increased their environmental awareness, creating green spaces and engaging in sustainability projects. BREATHE findings gained significant media attention and were shared through public talks at institutions such as the Barcelona Autonomous University (March 2017), King’s College London (2018), and the citizen platform Sarrià Respira (October 2019). This coverage heightened public concern about air pollution's effect on children’s development. 

Citizen groups like Eixample Respira and Revolta Escolar used the research findings to advocate for reduced traffic around schools. BREATHE researchers also engaged with local authorities, influencing district and city-level discussions on air quality improvements. The findings informed local initiatives and reports, including Barcelona City Council’s air quality campaign. 

Reduced traffic around 217 Barcelona schools

Following the tragic death of a child outside a school in 2019, citizen groups- led by Eixample Respira and citing ISGlobal’s research findings- urged Barcelona’s mayor to take immediate action to reduce traffic around schools. In response, the Barcelona City Council launched the Protegim les Escoles campaign in 2020, with the goal of reducing traffic around 200 schools.

This initiative, backed by parent associations, led to the total or partial pacification of 217 school environments by reducing traffic, lowering speed limits, and pedestrianising streets. In 2023, Barcelona City Hall expressed the importance of extending this to all schools, reflecting ongoing political commitment.

Improved wellbeing and socialisation among school-aged children and their families

ISGlobal played a key role in evaluating the impact of the Protegim les Escoles campaign. In 2021, ISGlobal’s Mònica Ubalde, alongside Andrea Ballbé from the Barcelona City Council and Jordi Honey-Rosés from ICTA-UAB, co-designed an innovative impact evaluation. This collaboration between academia and government ensured a comprehensive and relevant analysis.

The evaluation revealed: i) an 80% reduction in motorised vehicle flow; ii) a 283% increase in children, especially girls, playing in the streets; and iii) improved perceptions of safety and quality in pacified areas. These outcomes support Barcelona’s progress towards SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), enhancing both educational environments and public spaces. 

Changing policies to protect children’s health in Barcelona, Spain and beyond

  1. Local Level (Barcelona): The BREATHE project provided critical data to the Barcelona Public Health Agency (ASPB) and local authorities, driving policy changes aimed at reducing air pollution in schools. In 2014, ISGlobal's findings prompted the Barcelona Department of Education to request recommendations for healthier school environments. This culminated in a 2020 ASPB report, developed in collaboration with ISGlobal and local agencies, offering strategies to reduce pollution levels in schools. Since 2019, the Annual Air Quality Report has included data on pollution levels in city schools, reflecting BREATHE's lasting influence. Furthermore, Jordi Sunyer's appointment to the Barcelona Air Quality Group of Experts in 2015 and his continued participation in air quality congresses underline the broader impact of ISGlobal’s research on air quality control.
  2. National Level (Spain): In 2018, ISGlobal’s Mireia Gascon advocated for integrating health and air pollution into road safety discussions, contributing to the creation of the nationwide Entornos Escolares movement. This movement, supported by various organisations, developed a manifesto that ultimately led to the approval of a non-legislative motion in Congress in March 2022 for safe and healthy school environments. This motion, supported by ISGlobal and other partners, reflects the increased emphasis on health in policy discussions.
  3. Global Level: BREATHE’s findings have influenced international recommendations and reports by organisations such as WHO, UNICEF, the World Bank, and OECD, all focused on air pollution and children’s health. Notably, UNICEF’s “Danger in the Air” report and WHO’s “Inheriting a Sustainable World?” reports cited BREATHE research, contributing to global advocacy for reducing air pollution’s impact on children’s health. These efforts align with SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Links and References