Healthy Youth Survey

In collaboration with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the Department of Health, DASA helps sponsor a statewide adolescent health behavior survey through local school districts. Survey data collected every two years is used for local and state prevention program planning.

The Washington State Healthy Youth Survey measures health risk behaviors that contribute to morbidity, mortality, and social problems among youth in Washington State. These behaviors include alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, behaviors that result in unintentional and intentional injuries (e.g., violence), dietary behaviors and physical activity, and related risk and protective factors.

The survey results serve as an important source of needs-assessment data for school districts, community-based organizations, local health and human service agencies, and state agencies. The data are used to monitor the health status of adolescents and track progress on state and federal education and health-related goals. The information from the Healthy Youth Survey may be used to identify trends in patterns of behavior over time. State-level results may also be used to compare national and other state-level results. State agencies, local health jurisdictions, county prevention coordinators, community mobilization coalitions, community public health and safety networks, and others use this information to guide policies and programs that serve youth.

Healthy Youth Survey Links:

www.HYS.wa.gov -

www.AskHYS.net - AskHYS is an on-line system designed to help you analyze and disseminate HYS data. While state and county-level HYS behavior data is available to everyone, individuals with a professional interest in adolescent health and safety—who would like access to school district and building level data—must contact school districts directly for special permissions. The system will suppress any data that has the potential to compromise participating students' anonymity.

 

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