Statistics on Risky Youth Behavior (posted 6/28)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a report summarizing results from the 2008-2009 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) and trends in risk behaviors during 1991-2009. In the 30 days before taking the survey, 17.5% of high school students had carried a weapon, 41.8% had drunk alcohol, and 20.8% had used marijuana. The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors six categories of priority health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults: 1) behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence; 2) tobacco use; 3) alcohol and other drug use; 4) sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; 5) unhealthy dietary behaviors; and 6) physical inactivity. The report found that since 1991, the prevalence of many health-risk behaviors among high school students nationwide has decreased. However, many high school students continue to engage in behaviors that place them at risk for the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of most risk behaviors does not vary substantially among cities and states. To read the full report click here.

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