Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Toolkit

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CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors priority health behaviors and experiences among high school students across the country. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) results help in understanding the factors that contribute to the leading causes of illness, death and disability among youth and young adults. From this page you can access resources to educate partners, stakeholders and community members about adolescent health risk behaviors and experiences.

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Data & Documentation
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Data Summary and Trends Report
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Youth Online Data Analysis Tool
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YRBS Data Summary and Trends

High-Risk Substance Use

HEALTH OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY RESULTS Although progress has been made, there are still too many students reporting risky sexual behaviors, high-risk substance use, violence victimization, and poor mental health, including suicide risk. HIGH-RISK PROGRESS SUBSTANCE USE PROGRESS Fewer students have ever used illicit drugs.* *cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, inhalants, hallucinogens, or ecstasy. 2007 - 23% compared to 2017 -14% CHALLENGES Nearly 1 in 7 students have ever misused prescription opioids. 14% in 2017 WHY IS THIS INFORMATION IMPORTANT? These health risk behaviors and experiences can lead to HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. WHAT CAN BE DONE? SCHOOLS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES CAN WORK TOGETHER TO POSITIVELY AFFECT STUDENTS’ HEALTH. RESOURCES Learn more about student health behaviors on CDC’s Healthy Youth website (www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth). Source: CDC, YRBS Data Summary & Trends Report: 2007-2017

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Mental Health

HEALTH OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY RESULTS Although progress has been made, there are still too many students reporting risky sexual behaviors, high-risk substance use, violence victimization, and poor mental health, including suicide risk. MENTAL HEALTH PROGRESS Most students experience positive mental health. Adults can sup port students’ mental health by watching for warning signs and linking students to help. CHALLENGES During the past year, almost 1 in 3 students persistently felt sad or hopeless. 29% in 2007 compared to 32% in 2017 Students who made a suicide plan: 11% in 2007, 14% in 2017 WHY IS THIS INFORMATION IMPORTANT? These health risk behaviors and experiences can lead to HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. WHAT CAN BE DONE? SCHOOLS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES CAN WORK TOGETHER TO POSITIVELY AFFECT STUDENTS’ HEALTH. RESOURCES Learn more about student health behaviors on CDC’s Healthy Youth website (www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth). Source: CDC, YRBS Data Summary & Trends Report: 2007-2017

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Sexual Behaviors

HEALTH OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY RESULTS Although progress has been made, there are still too many students reporting risky sexual behaviors, high-risk substance use, violence victimization, and poor mental health, including suicide risk. SEXUAL BEHAVIORS PROGRESS Fewer students are having sex. 48% in 2007 compared to 40% in 2017 Fewer students have had 4 or more sex partners. 15% in 2007 compared to 10% in 2017 CHALLENGES Fewer students who have sex are using condoms. 62% in 2007 compared to 54% in 2017 WHY IS THIS INFORMATION IMPORTANT? These health risk behaviors and experiences can lead to HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. WHAT CAN BE DONE? SCHOOLS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES CAN WORK TOGETHER TO POSITIVELY AFFECT STUDENTS’ HEALTH. RESOURCES Learn more about student health behaviors on CDC’s Healthy Youth website (www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth). Source: CDC, YRBS Data Summary & Trends Report: 2007-2017

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Violence Victimization

HEALTH OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY RESULTS Although progress has been made, there are still too many students reporting risky sexual behaviors, high-risk substance use, violence victimization, and poor mental health, including suicide risk. VIOLENCE VICTIMIZATION PROGRESS Fewer male students are bullied at school. 19% in 2007, 16% in 2017 Fewer students experience sexual dating violence. 10% in 2013, 7% in 2017 CHALLENGES About 1 in 5 students are still bullied at school. 20% in 2007, 19% in 2017 More than 1 in 10 female students have ever been forced to have sex. 11% in 2007 and 2017 WHY IS THIS INFORMATION IMPORTANT? These health risk behaviors and experiences can lead to HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. WHAT CAN BE DONE? SCHOOLS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES CAN WORK TOGETHER TO POSITIVELY AFFECT STUDENTS’ HEALTH. RESOURCES Learn more about student health behaviors on CDC’s Healthy Youth website (www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth). Source: CDC, YRBS Data Summary & Trends Report: 2007-2017

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YRBS Infographics

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YRBS 2017 SMY Negative Health Experience Infographic
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YRBS 2017 Youth Face Unequal Risks
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Parent Engagement: Research shows that when parents and school staff work together, students are healthier and more successful.
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Teens report that their parents have the greatest influence over their risk behavior decisions--more than friends, siblings, or the media.
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Parent Engagement: Research shows that when parents and school staff work together, students are healthier and more successful.
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Teens report that their parents have the greatest influence over their risk behavior decisions--more than friends, siblings, or the media.
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Parent Engagement: Research shows that when parents and school staff work together, students are healthier and more successful.
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Schools play a critical role in promoting the health and saftey of young people and helping them establish lifelong healthy behaviors.
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School-Based Programs for Prevention infographic thumbnail
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Print Version (20″ x 78″) pdf icon[PDF – 237 KB]

Infographic: Clinicians can play an important role in keeping LGB Youth Healthy
Print Version (11″ x 17″) pdf icon[PDF – 674 KB]
Infographic: Clinicians can play an important role in keeping LGBT Youth Healthy, a comparison
Print Version (11″ x 17″) pdf icon[PDF – 744 KB]
Infographic: As adolescents develop, it makes sense for them to be more engaged in their own health care.
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Page last reviewed: October 4, 2018
Content source: Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention