Purpose: Survey of students to determine the extent to which they engage in high-risk behaviors. YRBS is part of a larger agreement cooperative between the Center for Disease Control (CDC), state health education coordinators, and chief state school officers to generate information that will help local school districts develop and implement programs that reduce risk behaviors among adolescents. YRBS is a source of comparable data on issues of school violence and safety. YRBS information also fulfills the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act requirements for information on drugs and violence in schools.

NEGP Use: NEGP uses YRBS data to report state-by-state information on drug and alcohol use, sale of drugs, student victimization, physical fights, weapons possession, and school safety.

Administered By: Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Last Administration: 1997

Next Administration: 1999, between January and the end of the school year.

Deadline for Participation: There is no specific deadline.

Costs: No cost to states.

Issues: Some states that participated in the 1997 YRBS were unable to generate comparable data because the sample surveyed was too small. This is the result of insufficient participation by local school districts and schools. In many cases it is the refusal of large districts, particularly in urban centers, to participate that creates the problem. State leaders can help by encouraging districts and schools to participate.

Contact: Laura Kann

Chief, Surveillance Research Section

Division of Adolescent School Health

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

4770 Buford Highway NE

Mailstop K33

Atlanta, GA 30341-3724

404/488-3257