Teens Making Better Decisions

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released findings from the 2007 Youth At-Risk Behavior Survey of high school students in the United States. Conducted every two years, this survey charts how teens make decisions as they contemplate engaging in at-risk behaviors such as smoking, premarital sex, drinking and taking drugs.

As reported by USA Today, the latest survey reveals that overall fewer teens across the United States are drinking, smoking and having less sex than their peers in 1991. Other data indicate the following: :

TEENS' RISKY BEHAVIOR

Rarely or never wore a seat belt (when riding in a car driven by someone else):
1991: 25.9%
2007: 11.1%

Rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol
1991: 39.9%
2007: 29.1%

Current cigarette use (smoked cigarettes on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey)
1991: 27.5%
2007: 20.0%

Current alcohol use (had at least one drink of alcohol on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey
1991: 50.8%
2007: 44.7%

Used a condom during last sexual intercourse (among students who were sexually active)
1991: 46.2%
2007: 61.5%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Reviewing this data more closely may help providers of teen providers determine the best strategies to engage youth to help prevent these behaviors while focusing promoting their leadership ability.

To read more of the USA Today report, click here. To review the CDC Youth Risk Surveillance Data, click here..