Learning Objectives: Assess the extent to which the YRBS and YTS provide compatible information about youth tobacco use at both the national and state levels. Identify how YRBS and YTS data can be used to improve tobacco control efforts.
Abstract: Objective: This presentation will describe national and state data generated by the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and Youth Tobacco Survey (YTS).
Method: Before the 1990s, little was known about the prevalence of behaviors practiced by young people that put them at risk for mortality and morbidity during adolescence or adulthood. As a result, CDC developed the YRBS to monitor six categories of behaviors among youth at the national, state, and local levels -- behaviors that contribute to unintentional and intentional injuries; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases; unhealthy dietary behaviors; and physical inactivity. To assist states in developing and maintaining their state-based comprehensive tobacco prevention and control programs, CDC developed the YTS, which includes international, national, and state school-based surveys of middle school and high school students and measures tobacco use, tobacco-related knowledge and attitudes, role of the media and advertising, minors’ access to tobacco, tobacco-related school curriculum, environmental tobacco smoke exposure, and cessation of tobacco use.
RESULTS: Data from the most recent national and state YRBS and YTS will be presented. Many states have conducted both surveys since 1999 and have annual data available to identify trends in tobacco use behavior among high school students. In addition, data from the national YRBS and national YTS will be presented and compared.
Discussion: The YRBSS and YTS generate complimentary results that states can use for program planning and evaluation.
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