Purpose
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey was developed to monitor health behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death, disability, and social problems among youth and adults in the United States. Health topics assessed include mental health; interpersonal conflict; tobacco, alcohol, and substance misuse; and sexual activity. The survey is conducted every other year among middle school and high school students and allows the Health Surveys unit to measure the prevalence of health behaviors, examine trends over time, and compare subpopulations.
Key Information
Youth risk behavior includes depression and violence; tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use; sexual behaviors, and obesity and its risk factors. The results are reported statewide, not by district, town, or individual student.
Collection Period
Data have been collected from 1995 to 2023 (odd years, spring data collection) for the high school survey. Data have been collected from 2007 to 2023 for the middle school survey.
How data are collected
An anonymous survey is conducted in randomly selected high schools and middle schools. The high school survey has 99 questions, and the middle school survey has 56 questions. Surveys are voluntary, and survey procedures protect the privacy of students. Local parent permission procedures are followed before administration, including informing parents that their child's participation is voluntary.
How data can be used
Youth Risk Behavior Survey results help policymakers, school administrators, social service workers, and health personnel monitor risk behaviors of middle and high school students that are linked with major causes of mortality and morbidity among youth and adults in the United States. These results are also used in a variety of venues to develop policies; to plan and improve youth-based health programs; to determine existing health needs in order to develop effective intervention programs; to provide the most recent and updated information for grant submissions; and to improve the development of classroom lessons geared toward reducing unhealthy behaviors among adolescents.
Rhode Island Numbers, 2023
- A 99-question survey was completed by 1,932 students in 19 public, charter, alternative, and vocational high schools. The school response rate was 76%, the student response rate was 74%, and the overall response rate was 56%.
- A 56-question survey was completed by 1,811 students in 19 public, charter, and alternative middle schools. The school response rate was 92%, the student response rate was 79%, and the overall response rate was 60%.