The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is a module of the Hawaii School Health Survey which is administered in Hawaii public schools, grades 6-12 in odd numbered years. It is part of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and is designed to monitor behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death and disability among youth and young adults. Over 12,000 Hawaii public school students participated in 2019. Here are some highlights.
High School:
- 73% of students said they either definitely or probably will continue their education after high school.
- 47% of all students had talked to a parent/adult in their family about what they expect them to do or not do pertaining to sex (including 54% of students in Hawaii County and 45% in Honolulu County).
- 39% of Hawaii high school students have ever used illicit drugs (including 51% of students in Hawaii County and 49% in Maui).
- Overall, students who experienced mental distress decreased from 71% in 2017 to 67% in 2019.
- While only 5% of students smoked cigarettes in the last 30 days, 31% used electronic vapor products including 42% of Native Hawaiian students.
Middle School:
- 81% of students said they either definitely or probably will go on to complete high school.
- 60% of students who identified as bisexual seriously considered suicide at least once in their life, compared to 24% of students who identified as straight.
- Close to a quarter (24%) of students said that they had discussed with their parent/adult in the family how to say no to having sex (including 27% of students in Maui and Kauai County).
- Students in Hawaii County (12%) were twice as likely to be a currently drink alcohol than students in Honolulu County (6%).
Users can explore the 2019 YRBS data on Hawaii-IBIS where we have added 5 new analytic dimensions, a demographics category and 31 new health indicators. Click here to learn more. Users can visit Hawaii Health Matters to access the state and county summary brochures and and explore 70 youth health indicators updated with 2019 data.
The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System monitors behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of the death among youth and young adults.
- Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence
- Sexual behaviors related to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
- Alcohol and other drug use
- Tobacco use
- Unhealthy dietary behaviors
- Inadequate physical activity
The Hawaii YRBS administered as a collaboration among the Hawaii State Department of Education, the Hawaii State Department of Health, the University of Hawaii Curriculum Research & Development Group and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Updated: 02/12/2020
