Epidemiology Services

NYC Youth Risk Behavior Survey

The NYC Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is conducted through an ongoing collaboration between the New York City Department of Health and Mental Health (DOHMH), the Department of Education (DOE), and the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The New York City's YRBS is part of the CDC’s National Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS).

Conduct analyses with YRBS data using EpiQuery, an interactive, health data system.

Based on the protocol developed by CDC, the survey has been conducted in odd-numbered years since 1997 to monitor priority health risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of mortality, morbidity, and social problems among youth in New York City. In the spring of 2007, the survey was completed by 9,080 students in 87 public high schools. Students complete a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire that measures a variety of risk behaviors, including tobacco, alcohol and drug use, unintentional injury and violence, sexual behaviors, dietary behaviors, and physical activity. The results are representative of public high school students in grades 9 though 12. The NYC YRBS can provide prevalence data for the city as a whole, for each of the five boroughs, and (since 2005) for three high-risk neighborhoods - the South Bronx, North and Central Brooklyn, and East and Central Harlem in Manhattan - where the DOHMH has its District Public Health Offices.

NYC YRBS Vital Signs Reports

• NYC Vital Signs: Mental Health of New York City Youth (March 2008) (PDF)
  
• Teen Safety in New York City (Oct 2007) (PDF)
  
• Teen Sexual Activity and Birth Control Use in New York City (Aug 2007) (PDF)
  
• Substance Use Among New York City Youth (Mar 2007) (PDF)
  
• Teenage Girls and Cigarettes (Aug 2006) (PDF)
  
• NYC Vital Signs: Smoking among New York City Public High School Students (February 2006) (PDF)
  
• NYC Vital Signs: Risky Business? Health Behaviors of New York City Public High School Students (July 2004) (PDF)

NYC YRBS Trend and Data Reports 

These reports were prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Estimates for subgroups with less than 100 students in sample are available on YRBS EpiQuery.

• Trend Report (1997-2007) (PDF)
  
• 2007 Demographics Report (PDF)
  
• 2007 Summary Table Report (PDF)
  
• YRBS 2007 Comparison Report (PDF): New York City Students and US Students

NYC YRBS Surveys and Methodology

• NYC YRBS Methodology Report (PDF)
  
• 2007 Survey (PDF)
  
• 2005 Survey (PDF)