Health
Teens taking fewer risks
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 7, 2004
Although there have been significant improvements in various health-related behaviors among high school students, many still engage in behavior that puts them at risk for injury and disease, according to the 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System released on May 20 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
During the past 12 years, the surveillance system has detected improvements in risky behaviors related to sexual activity, injuries and violence, and tobacco and alcohol use.
For example, the percentage of high school students who reported ever having sexual intercourse was 47% in 2003 compared with 54% in 1991. There was also a decrease in the number of high school students who reported having had four or more sex partners -- 14% in 2003 compared with 19% in 1991. The percentage of sexually active students who used a condom during their last sexual intercourse increased from 46% in 1991 to 63% in 2003.
For behaviors associated with tobacco and alcohol use: The percentage of high school students who reported current cigarette smoking -- which had increased from 28% in 1991 to 36% in 1997 -- fell to 22% in 2003 and the percentage of high school students who had ever drunk alcohol dropped to 75% in 2003 compared with 82% in 1991.
For the 2003 national survey, 15,214 questionnaires were completed by students in the 9th to 12th grades. Parental permission was obtained, student participation was voluntary and responses were anonymous. States and cities could modify the questionnaires to meet their needs.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/06/07/hlbf0607.htm.
