Janet L. Collins

TL;DR: The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) as discussed by the authors monitors six categories of priority health risk behaviors among youth and youth adults: behaviors that contribute to unintentional and intentional injuries, tobacco use, alcohol and other drug use, sexual behaviors, dietary behaviors, and physical activity.

TL;DR: Results from the 2003 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey demonstrate that the majority of risk behaviors associated with these two causes of death are initiated during adolescence, and education and health officials at national, state, and local levels are using these data to improve policies and programs to reduce priority health-risk behaviors among youth.

TL;DR: Responses of seventh grade students were less consistent than those of students in higher grades, indicating that the YRBS is best suited for students in grade 8 and above.

TL;DR: YRBSS data are being used nationwide by health and education officials to improve national, state, and local policies and programs designed to reduce risks associated with the leading causes of mortality and morbidity.

TL;DR: Not all sex and AIDS education programs had significant effects on adolescent sexual risk-taking behavior, but specific programs did delay the initiation of intercourse, reduce the frequency of intercourse), reduce the number of sexual partners, or increase the use of condoms or other contraceptives.