Prevention. Promotion. Protection.

Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is part of an epidemiological surveillance system that was established in 1990 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The purpose of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is to help monitor the prevalence of behaviors that put Alaskan youth at risk for the most significant health and social problems that can occur during adolescence and adulthood, in order to assist in prevention and intervention planning and evaluation. The YRBS survey is a school-based survey of high school students administered in cooperation with the Department of Education & Early Development. This anonymous survey examines a minimum of six categories of adolescent behavior:

  • behaviors that result in unintentional and intentional injuries
  • tobacco use
  • alcohol and other drug use
  • sexual behaviors that can result in HIV infection, other sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) and unintended pregnancies
  • dietary behaviors
  • physical activity

The YRBS has been administered in Alaska in years 1995, 1999 (excluding Anchorage), 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009. Weighted (representative) data were collected in 1995, 2003, 2007 and 2009 resulting in statewide data reports. YRBS is being administered again in the Spring of 2011.

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