New CDC data on a range of youth risk behaviors show youth cigarette smoking at 22-year low

	CDC Hill Announcement
	Thursday, June 12, 2014 New CDC data on a range of youth risk behaviors show youth cigarette smoking at 22-year low A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that analyzes priority health risk behaviors in youth found that in 2013 there were changes in a number of health behaviors among high school students, including those related to smoking, computer usage, and sexual activity. Smoking among high school students dropped to the lowest levels since 1991 when the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey  (YRBS) first began collecting these data. Nationwide, cigarette smoking rates among high school students dropped to 15.7%, marking the first time the U.S. has met its national Healthy People 2020 objective of reducing adolescent cigarette use to 16% or less.  Despite this progress, reducing overall tobacco use remains a significant challenge. For example, other national surveys show increases in hookah and e-cigarette use. Other key findings in the 2013 report include: No change in smokeless tobacco (e.g. chewing tobacco, snuff, dip) use since 1999, and  a decline in cigar use that has slowed in recent years, with cigar use now at 23% among male high school seniors (includes cigars, cigarillos, little cigars). 41% percent of students who had driven a car or other vehicle during the past 30 days had texted or emailed while driving. A significant decrease in drinking soda (or pop) one or more times per day from 34% in 2007 to 27% in 2013. A doubling in the percent of those using a computer three or more hours per day from 22% to 41% between 2003-2013 for non-school related work. Among high school students who are currently sexually active, a decline in condom use from 63% in 2003 to 59% in 2013.  Sexually active in this survey is defined as having had sexual  intercourse during the previous 3 months. CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) is the only surveillance system designed to monitor a wide range of priority health risk behaviors among representative samples of high school students at the national, state, and local levels. National, state, and large urban school district surveys are conducted every two years among high school students throughout the United States. These surveys monitor priority health risk behaviors including unintentional injuries and violence; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection; tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use; unhealthy dietary behaviors; and physical inactivity. These surveys also monitor obesity and asthma. More than 13,000 U.S. high school students participated in the 2013 National YRBS. Parental permission was obtained for students to participate in the survey, student participation was voluntary, and responses were anonymous. States and large urban school districts could modify the questionnaire for their own surveys to meet their needs. The 2013 YRBSS report includes National YRBS data and data from surveys conducted in 42 states and 21 large urban school districts. CDC has prepared fact sheets that include in depth information for each topic area, and there are also data tables that compare each state or large school district with national data.  For additional information on CDC’s activities in adolescent and school health, please visit www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/index.htm or contact Amy Pulver at APulver@cdc.gov.
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