This page contains historical data from previous Youth Risk Behavior Surveys. DCPS did not administer the YRBS in 2023.
The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors six categories of health-related behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death and disability among youth and adults, including—
Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence
Sexual behaviors related to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection
Alcohol and other drug use
Tobacco use
Unhealthy dietary behaviors
Inadequate physical activity
YRBSS also measures the prevalence of obesity and asthma and other health-related behaviors plus sexual identity and sex of sexual contacts.
YRBSS is a system of surveys. It includes 1) a national school-based survey conducted by CDC and state, territorial, tribal, and 2) local surveys conducted by state, territorial, and local education and health agencies and tribal governments.
What are the purposes of the YRBSS
The YRBSS was designed to:
Determine the prevalence of health behaviors.
Assess whether health behaviors increase, decrease, or stay the same over time.
Examine the co-occurrence of health behaviors.
Provide comparable national, state, territorial, and freely associated state, tribal, and local data.
Provide comparable data among subpopulations of youth.
Monitor progress toward achieving the Healthy People objectives and other program indicators.