Dateline: 07/04/02

Increasing numbers of American high school students are avoiding tobacco, marijuana, unprotected sex and other potentially dangerous behaviors that increase their risk for injury, illness and death, according to a new Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report.

The report, based on surveys of 9th to 12th grade students conducted during 2001, also shows that teens more teens are also wearing seatbelts and refusing to ride in cars driven by persons who had been drinking.

In releasing the report, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson stated, "The youth in our high schools are increasingly acting like responsible young men and women -- making responsible choices that will protect themselves now and well into the future."

The news was not all good, however, as Secretary Thompson added, "At the same time, this report shows that too many teenagers continue to engage in risky behaviors. All of us -- teachers, community leaders, celebrities, politicians and especially parents -- must work harder to prepare our children with the knowledge and confidence that they need to make wise decisions."

The 2001 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) report showed positive trends in areas of student injury- and violence-related behaviors, as well as sexual behaviors that increase the risk for HIV infection, other STDs, and unintended pregnancies. However, a significant drop since 1991 was reported in the percentage of students who receive daily physical education instruction.

"These data are critical because they allow us to identify trends and develop new and better programs that help teens make positive health choices," said Acting CDC Director David W. Fleming, M.D.

Other summary highlights of the report included:

Injury- and violence-related behaviors 

• The percentage of students who never or rarely wore seatbelts decreased from 26 to 14 percent;
• rode with drunk or drinking drivers decreased from 40 to 31 percent;
• seriously considered suicide decreased from 29 to 19 percent;
• actually planned a suicide decreased from 19 to 15 percent;
• carried a weapon decreased from 26 to 18 percent from 1991-1997 and to 17 percent by 2001;

Tobacco and drug use

• The percentage of students who reported current and frequent cigarette use increased from 1991-1997 (28 percent to 36 percent for current use and 13 percent to 17 percent for frequent use) and then decreased (29 percent and 14 percent between 1997 and 2001). 
• The percentage of students who reported lifetime and current marijuana use increased from 1991-1997 (31 percent to 47 percent for lifetime use, and 15 percent to 26 percent for current use) and then decreased by 2001 (42 percent and 24 percent, respectively).
• However, lifetime and current cocaine use increased from 1991-2001 (6 percent to 9 percent, and 2 percent to 4 percent, respectively).

Sexual Behavior

• The percentage of students who ever had sexual intercourse decreased from 54 percent to 46 percent from 1991-2001, and those who had four or more sexual partners decreased from 19 percent to 14 percent.
• The percentage of sexually active students who used a condom at last sexual intercourse increased from 1991-1999 (46 percent to 58 percent) and then leveled by 2001 (58 percent).

The Bush administration's proposed federal budget for 2003 includes an additional $33 million for funding sexual abstinence-only education, bringing total funding for abstinence-only education to $135 million, the target set by President Bush when he took office.