The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) measures behaviors that put young people at risk for disease, injury and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed the YRBS in collaboration with federal, state and private sector partners including state and local departments of education. The YRBS measures behaviors in six areas:

• Tobacco use
• Unhealthy dietary behaviors
• Inadequate physical activity
• Alcohol and other drug use
• Sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection
• Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence

These behaviors are often established during childhood and early adolescence.

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey is used to determine the prevalence of health-risk behaviors among students, assess trends in these behaviors, and examine the co-occurrence of health-risk behaviors. The survey is conducted in selected locations every two years.

To view the YRBS on line to compare years and geographic locations visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention at http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/yrbss/.