TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announces that it will be responsible for administering the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) across Kansas.
The YRBS is a vital tool for gathering data on the health behaviors of Kansas’s high school students. It provides essential insights into today’s youth’s challenges and paves the way for programs and policies promoting their well-being.
First completed in 1990, the YRBS is a nationwide survey conducted every two years. Its purpose is to monitor specific behaviors that can significantly impact the health and safety of adolescents in Kansas.
“By understanding these behaviors, KDHE can work with school and community leaders to develop targeted interventions and programs to address the unique needs of Kansas youth. Taking on the administration of the YRBS reflects our commitment to supporting Kansas youth and addressing the factors that impact their health and safety.”
For years, the YRBS in Kansas was overseen by the Kansas State Department of Education. This transition will enable KDHE to directly integrate survey findings into the state’s public health initiatives, ensuring a seamless connection between data and action.
The YRBS captures data on a variety of topics, including:
Nutrition, physical activity and weight statusBullyingMental health and suicideTobacco, alcohol and drug useSexual behaviors that could lead to STDs, HIV, or unintended pregnancyBehaviors contributing to unintentional injuries or violence
The YRBS is currently conducted in 50 randomly selected high schools across the state, with students in grades 9-12 anonymously participating. To protect privacy, no personal identifiers are collected, and participation is voluntary. KDHE will work directly with the participating schools to get active parental consent from each participating student. Schools will work closely with a designated YRBS coordinator to ensure the process is smooth and minimally disruptive. Each survey takes just one class period to complete.
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