Adolescent and School Health Data

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)

The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors six categories of health-related behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death and disability among youth and adults, including:

• Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence;
• Sexual behaviors related to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection;
• Alcohol and other drug use;
• Tobacco use;
• Unhealthy dietary behaviors; and
• Inadequate physical activity.

The YRBS includes a national school-based survey called the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The YRBS is conducted biennially in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A random sample of approximately 50 high schools in Indiana is surveyed, and 60% participation is required to obtain weighted data that is representative of teens across the state. The 2021 YRBS included eight additional questions about Adverse Childhoods Experiences (ACEs). ACEs have been shown to have a substantial impact on health and well-being over the course of a lifetime. By including this information, we can better understand how ACEs impact youth and take steps to prevent them going forward.

Survey results from the YRBS also enable IDOH to understand what youth are experiencing and identify areas of need for future programming. The YRBS is beneficial for other research related to youth studies. Overall, the goal of the survey is to understand the risk factors that exist among youth and use the data to assist schools, health professionals, and others in providing services to this population to support youth as they progress into adulthood.

YRBS is supported by the Division of Adolescent and School Health’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The School Health Profiles (PROFILES)

The School Health Profiles (PROFILES) is a system of surveys assessing school health policies and practices in states across the nation. Profiles are conducted biennially by the Indiana Department of Health among middle school and high school principals and lead health education teachers.

Profiles assists state and local education and health agencies in monitoring and assessing the following characteristics of school health education:

• School health education requirements and content;
• Physical education and physical activity;
• Practices related to bullying and sexual harassment;
• School health policies related to tobacco-use prevention and nutrition;
• School-based health services;
• Family engagement and community involvement; and
• School health coordination.

How is Profiles conducted?

Profiles is conducted among a random sample of schools in Indiana. The Indiana Department of Health collects data from self-administered questionnaires and must obtain at least a 70% response rate to obtain weighted data that can be representative of the population across the state.

What kind of data does Profiles provide?

Profiles provides data on the following areas:

• Safe and supportive school environments;
• Sexual health education;
• Sexual health services;
• Health services for students with chronic conditions;
• Supportive school nutrition environments; and
• Comprehensive school physical activity programs.

Schools can be used to describe school health policies and practices, identify professional development needs, plan and monitor programs, support health-related policies, seek funding and garner support for future surveys.

Profiles is supported by the Division of Adolescent and School Health’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Data by Year