News Release

School provision of universal free meals and blood pressure outcomes among youths

JAMA Network Open

Peer-Reviewed Publication

JAMA Network

About The Study: This cohort study of schools matched to child and adolescent patient medical records from a large network of community health organizations found that school participation in the Community Eligibility Provision was associated with a net reduction in blood pressure outcomes. These findings add to mounting evidence that universal free school meals may be associated with improved child health.

Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Anna M. Localio, PhD, MPH, email alocalio@uw.edu.

To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/

(doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.33186)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

#  #  #

Embed this link to provide your readers free access to the full-text article This link will be live at the embargo time https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.33186?guestAccessKey=1b34668e-afe8-4888-aa3d-dd05b3b83eff&utm_source=for_the_media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_content=tfl&utm_term=092525

About JAMA Network Open: JAMA Network Open is an online-only open access general medical journal from the JAMA Network. On weekdays, the journal publishes peer-reviewed clinical research and commentary in more than 40 medical and health subject areas. Every article is free online from the day of publication. 


Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.