Kansas Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data

Kansas Coordinated School Health has successfully conducted the YRBS in 2005, 2007, and 2009. Data results from all three successful YRBS administrations can be found below.

2009 Kansas YRBS Fact Sheets

Comparison of 2005-2009 Kansas YRBS Data

2007 Kansas YRBS Data Powerpoint

2007 Kansas YRBS Fact Sheet

2005 Kansas YRBS Data Powerpoint

2005 Kansas YRBS Fact Sheet

KCSH developed a booklet following the 2007 YRBS to disseminate findings and provide a glimpse into what schools are doing to address health risk behaviors of Kansas students. To view this booklet, click on Taking a Look - The Kansas Youth Risk Behavior Survety. KCSH is in the process of developing an updated booklet using the 2009 YRBS data. If you have any questions, please email Mark Thompson, mathompson@ksde.org.

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)

What is the YRBSS?
The YRBSS was developed in 1990 to monitor priority health risk behaviors that contribute markedly to the leading causes of death, disability and social problems among youth and adults in the U.S. These 6 behaviors are often established during childhood and consist of tobacco use, alcohol and drug use, sexual behaviors, physical activity, nutrition, and unintentional and intentional injuries.

What are the purposes of YRBSS?
The YRBSS was designed to: a) Determine the prevalence of health risk behaviors, b) Monitor the pattern of these behaviors over time, c) Assess the co-occurrence with other health risk behaviors, d) Allow comparison to National, State, and Local data, e) Allow comparisons among youth subpopulations, and f) Assist with monitoring progress toward program indicators and objectives (i.e. Healthy People 2010).

How is the survey conducted?
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) oversees the YRBSS, which is conducted every other year during the odd years (i.e. 2007, 2009, 2011). The CDC selects a random sample of schools from each state to participate in the survey. In Kansas, the survey is administered by Kansas Coordinated School Health (KCSH). KCSH contacts the selected schools and requests their participation. After scheduling arrangements have been made, KCSH randomly selects usually 2-3 classes from the school to survey. The entire process is confidential, with no means of linking the student with his/her individual responses. Once the data is collected, KCSH submits it to the CDC for analysis.                                

What is the impact of YRBS Data?
The impact of the YRBSS data is to: a) Create Awareness among schools, parents, health educators, students, media, b) Set program goals for school health initiatives, Healthy People 2010 objectives, CDC programs, c) Develop programs and policies for schools, at-risk initiatives, communities, d) Support health-related legislation such as drug-free or weapon-free school zones, minor’s access laws, drinking and driving regulations, competitive food policies, and restrictions on
billboards /advertising.

For more information about the YRBSS, go to the Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/index.htm.