Many Risky Behaviors Down Among Teenagers

June 15, 2006 -- High school students are drinking and smoking less than they were 15 years ago, according to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fewer are having sex and carrying weapons, as well. Forty-three percent of high school students reported current alcohol use, compared with 51 percent in 1991.

More than 14,000 high school students took the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2005. While many risky behaviors have gone down, the survey found that a lot of high school students continue to engage in behaviors that place them at risk for the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. Marijuana and cocaine use rose compared to the 1991 survey. Black students were more likely to have engaged in sexual activity and sedentary behaviors, white students were more likely to report frequent cigarette use and episodic heavy drinking, and Hispanic students reported more frequent suicide attempts and use of drugs like cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines.

A number of Institute of Medicine and National Research Council reports deal with adolescent behavior. Reducing Underage Drinking offers a comprehensive strategy to curb alcohol consumption among America's youth. Adolescent Risk and Vulnerability looks at how to quantify risks and vulnerability in adolescents and direct research goals toward solving real problems. A Study of Interactions: Emerging Issues in the Science of Adolescence -- Workshop Summary examines current research on adolescence and discusses how to translate findings into policy and practice. Reducing Suicide: A National Imperative recommends establishing a national network of laboratories capable of conducting large-scale population studies to integrate research, improve monitoring, and explore effective interventions. Community Programs to Promote Youth Development offers recommendations for policy, practice, and research to ensure that community youth programs are well designed to meet young people's developmental needs.

• Reducing Underage Drinking (2004)
• Adolescent Risk and Vulnerability (2001)
• A Study of Interactions: Emerging Issues in the Science of Adolescence -- Workshop Summary (2006)
• Reducing Suicide: A National Imperative (2002)
• Community Programs to Promote Youth Development (2002)

• CDC Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System