News
June 04, 2008
New CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey Finds Youth Making Smarter, Healthier Choices; Makes Achieving Life’s Goals More Attainable
RIDGELAND, Miss., (June 4, 2008) -- With summer break in full-swing for youth across the nation, many teens are under less adult supervision. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance (YRBS) study, released today, finds youth are making smarter, healthier choices.
The YRBS report includes some of the following results:
• Overall there were substantial decreases in the percentage of Africian-Amercian students who had ever had sexual intercourse was 66 percent in 2007. A significant drop from 82 percent in 1991; additionally, 44 percent of white teens reported to have ever had sexual intercourse. This is a six percent decline from 1991.
• This study reported no significant change occurred in the percentage of Hispanic high school students who had ever had sexual intercourse with just a one percent decrease from 1991 to 2007 of 52 percent. Likewise, the percentage of teens who were taught about HIV/AIDS in school setting did not change significantly among Hispanics with just a three percent overall change of 85 percent in 2007 from 82 percent in 1991. However, there was a six percent increase from 1991-2007 among African-American teens; 90 percent in 2007, 84 percent in 1991, and white students, 91 percent in 2007; 83 percent in 1991.
Additionally, the 2007 National YRBS found Hispanic students were more likely than either African-American students or white students other unhealthy behaviors that included attempting suicide, illegal drug usage, riding in a motor-vehicle with a driver who had been drinking alcohol, or go a day or more without eating for weight loss purposes. Hispanic teens were also more likely than both African-American students and white students to report an unwillingness to attend school because of safety concerns on the way to school, at school or while traveling from school. Hispanic high school students also reported, according to the CDC survey, that they were offered and purchased illegal drugs or consumed alcohol at school.
“I am pleased to learn that, according to the YRBS study, we, as a nation, are make significant strides in the effort to educate our teens and young adults about the benefits of healthy choices,” said JeanAnn Bull, creator of the Dare to Realize your Incredible Value and Excellence (DRIVE) program. “When a youth makes healthy lifestyle choices on a daily basis, research has shown, they will be more likely to achieve both short and long-term goals they choose to reach in life, which, in turn, will increase both their overall self-esteem and self-confidence. However, we must not rest on our laurels. These numbers are still high, and there are countless youth and young adults across the nation who struggle with life choices every day. We have a long way to go.”
Through DRIVE, Bull teaches them the building-blocks of how to achieve goals that they’ve set for themselves. She knows that once youth and young adults learn the 10 easy to apply and implement keys, they will soar in all areas of their lives – regardless of the obstacles they may face on a daily basis.
For more information about the DRIVE program or the Dare to Realize your Incredible Value and Excellence book, visit www.nobullmedia.net.
No Bull Media Group, LLC is a privately owned speaking agency located in
Ridgeland, Mississippi.
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