Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: June 28, 2002
Contact: Jana Hesser, PhD, Office of Health Statistics, 
(401) 222-5111
Elliot Krieger, RI Dept of Education, 
(401) 222-4600, Ext. 2182

Health-Risk Behavior Improves Among RI Youth, 1997-2001; Health and Education Departments Release Results of New Survey

The Rhode Island Departments of Health (HEALTH) and Education (DOE) released results today from the 2001 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The YRBS monitors health-risk behaviors that contribute to death, disease, injury and other health problems among RI youth and adults. Overall, 1,392 randomly selected public high school students (grades 9 through 12) responded to the survey in the spring of 2001. By comparing the 2001 results with those from the 1997 survey, state and local officials can monitor trends in the health-risk behavior of RI youth.

"Tracking changes in the numbers of youth with risky behaviors is very important. With this information, we can evaluate our programs’ successes and failures. We can focus our efforts on reaching the adolescents with more risky behaviors," said Dr. Patricia A. Nolan, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health. "The 2001 Survey shows that Rhode Island youth have reduced five risky behaviors substantially. In these areas, efforts of schools, communities and public health agencies are paying off. Unfortunately, we see no change in seven other risky health behaviors. Most worrisome, twice as many adolescents reported no HIV/AIDS instruction in school: 10% of students in 2001 reported none in school, compared to 5% in 1997. Clearly we have a lot more to do to promote healthy and safe behaviors to our youth!"

Among the results highlighted in the report are the following:

• Tobacco use, physical activity, seatbelt use, carrying weapons, and use of inhalants improved between 1997 and 2001.
• Cigarette smoking declined from 35% to 25%.
• 66% of students in 2001, including 74% of males and 58% of females, participated in vigorous physical activity for at least 30 minutes, 3 times in the week prior to the survey. In 1997, only 62% exercised that much.
• Alcohol use, physical fights, attempted suicide, marijuana use, sexual intercourse, condom use, and use of vomiting or laxatives to lose weight showed little to no improvement in 2001.
• 50% of students in 2001 used alcohol during the previous 30 days; 79% used alcohol in their lifetime.
• 13% of students in 2001 were in a physical fight on school property during the past 12 months. 8% attempted suicide during the same time period, including 6% of males and 10% of females.
• 10% of students in 2001 compared to 5% in 1997 reported no reported no instruction about AIDS or HIV infection in school.

"We’re pleased that students are listening to the messages about tobacco use and that many more of our children are using seat belts," said Peter McWalters, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education. "But the survey also shows that many of our students do not place adequate value on their overall health and well-being. As educators and parents, we must continue to work with students to change their self-destructive patterns. Through programs such as Healthy Schools! Healthy Kids! and the Child Opportunity Zones, we must let our children know that they are our most valuable resource."

The report also shows the differences in health risk behaviors by grade. For example, 29% of 9^th graders in 2001 used marijuana during the past 30 days compared to 44% of 12^th graders. Similarly, sexual intercourse during the past 3 months increased from 24% among freshmen to 51% among seniors.

The 2001 Youth Risk Behavior Survey was sponsored by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 32 states and 17 localities nationwide.