title: The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System: updating policy and program applications.
abstract: To monitor behaviors that place adolescents at increased risk for premature morbidity and mortality, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). This system measures six categories of behaviors, including behaviors that contribute to violence and unintentional injuries; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection; unhealthy dietary behaviors; and inadequate physical activity. This article summarizes how some education and health agencies and nongovernmental organizations, in collaboration with community agencies, school boards, parents, and youth, use YRBSS data to describe risk behaviors, create awareness, supplement staff development, set and monitor program goals, develop health education programs, support health-related legislation, and seek funding. Ways in which YRBSS data are distributed electronically also are summarized.
authors.affiliation: Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, MS K-33, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, USA. sce2@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Michele P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Sussman
authors.forename: Sherry Everett
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Todd W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001364:Awareness; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D015444:Exercise; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data