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Youth risk behavior surveillance--United States, 1993
L Kann1, C W Warren, W A Harris
1Division of Adolescent and School Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
The Journal of School Health
|May 1, 1995
Summary
High school students engage in risky behaviors like not using seat belts and riding with drunk drivers, increasing their risk of injury and death. The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) highlights these critical public health issues among adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Priority health risk behaviors established in youth contribute to leading causes of mortality and morbidity.
- These behaviors are interrelated and often extend into adulthood.
- The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors key risk behaviors in youth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the findings of the 1993 national Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) survey.
- To identify priority health risk behaviors among high school students in the United States.
- To assess the prevalence of behaviors contributing to unintentional and intentional injuries, substance use, and sexual risk.
Main Methods:
- A national, school-based survey conducted by the CDC.
- Data collected from high school students across the US during February-May 1993.
- Included national, state, and local survey data.
Main Results:
- 72% of deaths in US school-age youth and young adults result from motor vehicle crashes, intentional injuries, homicide, and suicide.
- Significant percentages of students reported risky behaviors: 19.1% rarely used safety belts, 35.3% rode with drinking drivers, 22.1% carried weapons.
- High rates of alcohol (80.9%) and marijuana (32.8%) use, and suicide attempts (8.6%) were reported.
Conclusions:
- Many high school students engage in behaviors that increase their risk of death and serious injury.
- These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address adolescent risk behaviors.
- Addressing these behaviors is crucial for reducing morbidity and social problems, including STDs and unintended pregnancies.