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Early initiation of sexual activity is associated with having more sexual partners, not using condoms, sexually transmitted infection (STI), and pregnancy during adolescence (1,2). The majority of adolescents initiate sexual activity during high school, and the proportion of high school students who have ever had sexual intercourse increases by grade; black students are more likely to have ever had sexual intercourse than are white students (3). The proportion of high school students overall who had ever had sexual intercourse did not change significantly during 1995-2005 (53.1% to 46.8%) (Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC, unpublished data). To assess whether changes have occurred in recent years in the proportion of high school students who have ever had sexual intercourse, CDC examined trends overall and by grade, race/ethnicity, and sex among U.S. high school students, using data from the 2005-2015 national Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (YRBSs) and data from 29 states* that conduct the YRBS and have weighted data. Nationwide, the proportion of high school students who had ever had sexual intercourse decreased significantly overall and among 9th and 10th grade students, non-Hispanic black (black) students in all grades, and Hispanic students in three grades. A similar pattern by grade was observed in nearly half the states (14), where the prevalence of ever having had sexual intercourse decreased only in 9th grade or only in 9th and 10th grades; nearly all other states saw decreases in some or all grades. The overall decrease in the prevalence of ever having had sexual intercourse during 2005-2015 is a positive change in sexual risk among adolescents (i.e., behaviors that place them at risk for human immunodeficiency virus, STI, or pregnancy) in the United States, an overall decrease that did not occur during the preceding 10 years. Further, decreases by grade and race/ethnicity represent positive changes among groups of students who have been determined in previous studies to be at higher risk for negative outcomes associated with early sexual initiation, such as greater numbers of partners, condom non-use, teen pregnancy, and STI (1-3). More work is needed to understand the reasons for these decreases and to ensure that they continue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have shown links between educational outcomes such as letter grades, test scores, or other measures of academic achievement, and health-related behaviors (1-4). However, as reported in a 2013 systematic review, many of these studies have used samples that are not nationally representative, and quite a few studies are now at least 2 decades old (1). To update the relevant data, CDC analyzed results from the 2015 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), a biennial, cross-sectional, school-based survey measuring health-related behaviors among U.S. students in grades 9-12. Analyses assessed relationships between academic achievement (i.e., self-reported letter grades in school) and 30 health-related behaviors (categorized as dietary behaviors, physical activity, sedentary behaviors, substance use, sexual risk behaviors, violence-related behaviors, and suicide-related behaviors) that contribute to leading causes of morbidity and mortality among adolescents in the United States (5). Logistic regression models controlling for sex, race/ethnicity, and grade in school found that students who earned mostly A's, mostly B's, or mostly C's had statistically significantly higher prevalence estimates for most protective health-related behaviors and significantly lower prevalence estimates for most health-related risk behaviors than did students with mostly D's/F's. These findings highlight the link between health-related behaviors and education outcomes, suggesting that education and public health professionals can find their respective education and health improvement goals to be mutually beneficial. Education and public health professionals might benefit from collaborating to achieve both improved education and health outcomes for youths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young persons aged 13-24 years accounted for an estimated 22% of all new diagnoses of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the United States in 2014. Most new HIV diagnoses among youths occur among males who have sex with males (MSM). Among all MSM, young black MSM accounted for the largest number of new HIV diagnoses in 2014 (1). To determine whether the prevalence of HIV-related risk behaviors among black male high school students who had sexual contact with males differed from the prevalence among white and Hispanic male students who had sexual contact with males, potentially contributing to the racial/ethnic disparities in new HIV diagnoses, CDC analyzed data from Youth Risk Behavior Surveys conducted by 17 large urban school districts during 2009-2013. Although other studies have examined HIV-related risk behaviors among MSM (2,3), less is known about MSM aged <18 years. Black male students who had sexual contact with males had a lower or similar prevalence of most HIV-related risk behaviors than did white and Hispanic male students who had sexual contact with males. These findings highlight the need to increase access to effective HIV prevention strategies for all young MSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study on the data for increase in availability of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and decrease in sodium levels in the school meals across schools in the U.S. for the year 2000, 2006, and 2014. Topics include a chart depicting percentage of schools which engaged in specific school nutrition services practices regulated for the school meal programs, efforts to help schools meet the nutrition standards, and increase awareness about nutrition in school meals.

Background: In 2009, 6.7% of the estimated 1.1 million persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the United States were youths (defined in this report as persons aged 13-24 years); more than half of youths with HIV (59.5%) were unaware of their infection. Methods: CDC used National HIV Surveillance System data to estimate, among youths, prevalence rates of diagnosed HIV infection in 2009 and the number of new infections (incidence) in 2010. To assess the prevalence of risk factors and HIV testing among youths, CDC used the 2009 and 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System for 9th-12th grade students and the 2010 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) for persons 18-24 years. Results: Prevalence of diagnosed HIV was 69.5 per 100,000 youths at the end of 2009. Youths accounted for 12,200 (25.7%) new HIV infections in 2010. Of these, 7,000 (57.4%) were among blacks/African Americans, 2,390 (19.6%) among Hispanics/Latinos, and 2,380 (19.5%) among whites; 8,800 (72.1%) were attributed to male-to-male sexual contact. The percentage of youths tested for HIV overall was 12.9% among high school students and 34.5% among those aged 18-24 years; it was lower among males than females, and lower among whites and Hispanics/Latinos than blacks/African Americans. Conclusions: A disproportionate number of new HIV infections occurs among youths, especially blacks/African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and men who have sex with men (MSM). The percentage of youths tested for HIV, however, was low, particularly among males. Implications for Public Health: More effort is needed to provide effective school- and community-based interventions to ensure all youths, particularly MSM, have the knowledge, skills, resources, and support necessary to avoid HIV infection. Health-care providers and public health agencies should ensure that youths are tested for HIV and have access to sexual health services, and that HIV-positive youths receive ongoing health-care and prevention services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the trends in the behavior of high school students in the U.S. which contribute to the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), based on data released by the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. It states that contributing factors include engaging in sexual intercourse without using condoms, having multiple sex partners, and using injectable drugs. A table showing the percentage of students reporting HIV-related risk behaviors is also presented.

The article summarizes the results of analyses of 2008 and 2010 School Health Profiles data for public secondary schools in 45 U.S. states. It was found that in 2010, the percentage of secondary schools teaching 11 topics on HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and pregnancy prevention in a required course in grades 6, 7, or 8 was lower in 11 states and significantly higher in none, compared with 2008. The importance of HIV, other STD, and pregnancy prevention education is stressed.

Problem: Priority health-risk behaviors, which are behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among youth and adults in Pacific Island territories, often are established during adolescence and extend into adulthood. Reporting Period Covered: January-June 2007. Description of the System: The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors six categories of priority health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults, including behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus infection; unhealthy dietary behaviors; and physical inactivity. In addition, the YRBSS monitors the prevalence of obesity and asthma. YRBSS includes a national school-based survey conducted by CDC and state, territorial, tribal, and local school-based surveys conducted by state, territorial, tribal, and local education and health agencies. This report summarizes results from surveys of students in grades 9-12 conducted in five territories (American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau) during January-June 2007. Results: Across the five Pacific Island territories, the leading causes of mortality among all ages include unintentional injuries, including motor-vehicle crashes; cancer; cardiovascular diseases; stroke; and diabetes. Results from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) indicated that high school students in the Pacific Island territories engaged in behaviors that increased their risk for mortality or morbidity from these causes. Across the five territories during 2007, the percentage of high school students who had rarely or never worn a seat belt when riding in a car driven by someone else ranged from 11.8% to 83.2% (median: 30.9%). During the 30 days before the survey, the percentage who had ridden in a car or other vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol ranged from 34.8% to 49.8% (median: 42.8%), the percentage who had driven a car or other vehicle when they had been drinking alcohol ranged from 7.8% to 16.1% (median: 11.9%), and the percentage who had carried a weapon ranged from 16.9% to 32.0% (median: 19.6%). The percentage of students who had smoked cigarettes during the 30 days before the survey ranged from 23.1% to 37.6% (median: 31.1%), the percentage who had not eaten fruits and vegetables five or more times per day during the 7 days before the survey ranged from 72.8% to 83.6% (median: 79.5%), and the percentage who had not met recommended levels of physical activity ranged from 64.0% to 77.2% (median: 68.9%). Interpretation: The prevalence of many health-risk behaviors varies across the five Pacific Island territories, and many high school students engage in behaviors that place them at risk for the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. Public Health Action: YRBSS data will be used in the territories for decision making and program planning, resulting in more effective school health and youth health programs. More evidence-based interventions and programs are needed to reduce risk behaviors and improve health outcomes among youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem: Priority health-risk behaviors, including tobacco use, unhealthy dietary behaviors, and physical inactivity often are established during childhood and adolescence, extend into adulthood, are interrelated, and are preventable. These behaviors contribute to chronic disease and other health conditions, including asthma. Reporting Period Covered: January-May 2007. Description of System: The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors priority health-risk behaviors and the prevalence of obesity and asthma among youth and young adults. YRBSS includes a national school-based survey conducted by CDC and state and local school-based surveys conducted by state and local education and health agencies. In 2007, as a component of YRBSS, communities participating in the Steps Cooperative Agreement Program (Steps Program) also conducted school-based surveys of students in grades 9-12 in their program intervention areas. These communities used a standard questionnaire that measured tobacco use, dietary behaviors, and physical activity and monitored the prevalence of obesity and asthma. This report summarizes results from surveys of students in 26 Steps communities that conducted surveys in 2007. Results: Results from the 26 Steps communities indicated that a substantial proportion of adolescents engaged in health-risk behaviors that increased their likelihood of becoming obese. During 2007, across surveys, the percentage of high school students who had ever smoked at least one cigarette every day for 30 days ranged from 3.7% to 20.1% (median: 9.0%), the percentage who had eaten fruits and vegetables five or more times per day during the 7 days before the survey ranged from 13.9% to 23.9% (median: 17.9%), and the percentage who met recommended levels of physical activity ranged from 27.7% to 55.5% (median: 40.1%). Across surveys, the percentage of students who were obese ranged from 4.6% to 20.2% (median: 13.6%), and the percentage of students who had ever been told by a doctor or nurse that they had asthma ranged from 16.8% to 28.5% (median: 21.6%). Interpretation: Although the prevalence of many health-risk behaviors and health conditions related to obesity and asthma varies across Steps communities, a substantial proportion of high school students engage in behaviors that place them at risk for chronic disease. Public Health Action: Steps Program staff at the national, tribal, state, and local levels will use YRBSS data for decision making, program planning, and enhancing technical assistance to reduce tobacco use and exposure and to increase healthy eating and physical activity. These data will be used to help focus existing programs on activities that have shown the greatest promise of results, as well as identify populations of greatest need and opportunities for strategic collaboration to identify and disseminate lessons learned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem: Priority health-risk behaviors, which are behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among youth and adults, often are established during childhood and adolescence, extend into adulthood, are interrelated, and are preventable. Reporting Period Covered: January-December 2007. Description of the System: The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors six categories of priority health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults, including behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; unhealthy dietary behaviors; and physical inactivity. In addition, YRBSS monitors the prevalence of obesity and asthma. YRBSS includes a national school-based survey conducted by CDC and state and local school-based surveys conducted by state and local education and health agencies. This report summarizes results from the national survey, 39 state surveys, and 22 local surveys conducted among students in grades 9-12 during 2007. Results: In the United States, 72% of all deaths among persons aged 10-24 years result from four causes: motor-vehicle crashes, other unintentional injuries, homicide, and suicide. Results from the 2007 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) indicated that many high school students engaged in behaviors that increased their likelihood of death from these four causes. Among high school students nationwide during 2007, 11.1% had never or rarely worn a seat belt when riding in a car driven by someone else. During the 30 days before the survey, 29.1% of high school students had ridden in a car or other vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol, 18.0% had carried a weapon, and 5.5% had not gone to school because they felt they would be unsafe at school or on their way to or from school. During the 12 months before the survey, 6.9% of high school students had attempted suicide. In addition, 75.0% of high school students had ever drunk alcohol, and 4.4% had ever used methamphetamines. Substantial morbidity and social problems among youth also result from unintended pregnancies and STDs, including HIV infection. Results from the 2007 survey indicated that 47.8% of students had ever had sexual intercourse, 35.0% of high school students were currently sexually active, and 38.5% of currently sexually active high school students had not used a condom during last sexual intercourse. Among U.S. adults aged >25 years, 59% of all deaths result from two causes: cardiovascular disease and cancer. Results from the 2007 national YRBS indicated that risk behaviors associated with these two causes of death were present during adolescence. Among high school students nationwide during 2007, 20.0% had smoked cigarettes during the 30 days before the survey, 35.4% had watched television 3 or more hours per day on an average school day, and 13.0% were obese. During the 7 days before the survey, 78.6% of high school students had not eaten fruits and vegetables five or more times per day, 33.8% had drunk soda or pop at least one time per day, and 65.3% had not met recommended levels of physical activity. Interpretation: 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 mortality and morbidity. The prevalence of most risk behaviors does not vary substan- tially among cities and states.… [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem: Unhealthy dietary behaviors, physical inactivity, and tobacco use contribute to chronic disease and other health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and asthma. These behaviors often are established during childhood and adolescence, extend into adulthood, are interrelated, and are preventable. Reporting Period Covered: January-May 2005. Description of System: The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors priority health-risk behaviors, general health status, and the prevalence of overweight and asthma among youth and young adults. YRBSS includes a national school-based survey conducted by CDC and state and local school-based surveys conducted by state and local education and health agencies. As a component of YRBSS, in 2005, communities participating in the Steps to a HealthierUS Cooperative Agreement Program (Steps Program) also conducted school-based surveys of students in grades 9-12 in their program intervention areas. These communities used a modified core questionnaire that asks about dietary behaviors, physical activity, and tobacco use and monitors the prevalence of overweight, diabetes, and asthma. This report summarizes results from surveys of students in 15 Steps communities that conducted surveys in 2005. Results: Results from the 15 Steps communities indicated that a substantial proportion of adolescents engaged in health risk behaviors associated with obesity, diabetes, and asthma. During 2005, across surveys, the percentage of high school students who had not eaten fruits and vegetables >5 times/day during the 7 days preceding the survey ranged from 80.1% to 85.2% (median: 83.1%), the percentage who were overweight ranged from 6.6% to 19.6% (median: 11.5%), the percentage who did not attend physical education classes daily ranged from 53.7% to 95.1% (median: 74.2%), and the percentage who had smoked cigarettes during the 30 days preceding the survey ranged from 9.2% to 26.5% (median: 17.1%). Interpretation: Although the prevalence of many health-risk behaviors and health conditions varies across Steps communities, a substantial proportion of high school students engage in behaviors that place them at risk for chronic disease. Public Health Action: Steps Program staff at the national, tribal, state, and local levels will use YRBSS data for decision making, program planning, and enhancing technical assistance. These data will be used to focus existing programs on activities with the greatest promise of results, identify opportunities for strategic collaboration, and identify and disseminate lessons learned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem/Condition: Priority health-risk behaviors, which contribute to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among youth and adults, often are established during youth, extend into adulthood, are interrelated, and are preventable. Reporting Period: This report covers data collected during February-December 2003. Description of System: The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors six categories of priority health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults -- behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; unhealthy dietary behaviors; and physical inactivity - plus overweight. YRBSS includes a national school-based survey conducted by CDC as well as state and local school-based surveys conducted by education and health agencies. This report summarizes results from the national survey, 32 state surveys, and 18 local surveys conducted among students in grades 9-12 during February-December 2003. Results and Interpretation: In the United States, 70.8% of all deaths among persons aged 10-24 years result from only four causes: motor-vehicle crashes, other unintentional injuries, homicide, and suicide. Results from the 2003 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey demonstrated that, during the 30 days preceding the survey, numerous high school students engage in behaviors that increase their likelihood of death from these four causes: 30.2% had ridden with a driver who had been drinking alcohol; 17.1% had carried a weapon; 44.9% had drunk alcohol; and 22.4% had used marijuana. In addition, during the 12 months preceding the survey, 33.0% of high school students had been in a physical fight, and 8.5% had attempted suicide. Substantial morbidity and social problems among young persons also result from unintended pregnancies... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summarizes the results of a survey on the health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults in the U.S. through the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. Methods used in the survey; Behaviors that contributed to unintentional injuries and violence; Result of tobacco use among students; Analysis of the age of initiation of risk behaviors.

Presents information on a study which investigated priority health-risk behaviors which contribute to the causes of mortality and morbidity among youth and adults in the United States. Methods; Results and discussion.

Presents the results of the 1998 Alternative High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey in the United States. Description of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System; Information on the sampling; Behaviors that contribute to unintentional and intentional injuries; Initiation of risk behaviors.

Discusses the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) which monitors health risk behaviors among youth and young adults. Behaviors that contribute to unintentional and intentional injuries; Tobacco use; Alcohol and other drug use; Sexual behaviors; Dietary behaviors; Physical activity.

Presents information on a study on the School Health Education Profiles for 1996. Description of the Profiles; Methodology used in conducting the study; Result of the study on the median percentage of schools that tried to increase student knowledge on certain topics.

Presents a study which discusses priority health-risk behaviors, which contributes to the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among youth and adults in the United States, as reported for February-May 1997. How the causes are often established; Number of categories of priority health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults, that are monitored by the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System; Identification of some of the behaviors; Findings of the study.

Presents a study which examined the health-risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of mortality, morbidity and social problems among youth and adults in the United States from 1995. Causes of 72 percent of all deaths among school-age youth and young adults; Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries, example driving after drinking alcohol; Behaviors that contribute to intentional injuries, example, physical fights.

The article presents a study on the beverage consumption of U.S. high school students in 2010. Studies by the 2010 National Youth Physical Activity and Nutrition Study (NYPANS) and by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) measured the types of beverages consumed by adolescents and dietary behaviors among a representative sample of students in grades 9-12. It was revealed that 24.3% of high school students drank regular soda, 16.1% consumed sports drinks, and 16.9% drank another type of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB)

Focuses on a study which examined the characteristics of health education among secondary schools in the United States using `The School Health Education Profiles' report. Methods used in the study; Details on the curricula, guidelines and frameworks for required health education courses; Professional preparation of lead health education teachers.