The Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2013–2023 provides the most recent surveillance data, as well as 10-year trends and 2-year changes in health behaviors and experiences of high school students in the United States.
This 2024 CDC report summarizes national data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) collected between 2013 and 2023. It provides a detailed examination of the health behaviors and experiences of U.S. high school students, covering sexual behavior, substance use, experiences of violence, mental health, and emerging issues like racism in school, social media use, and school connectedness. The report emphasizes concerning long-term trends, widening disparities, and limited signs of short-term improvement post-pandemic..
Adolescent health is in crisis: especially for female and LGBTQ+ youth with worsening trends in mental health, violence, and safety, despite modest improvements in substance use and sexual risk behaviors.
Key Themes
Mental Health & Suicide Risk
Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and suicide-related behaviors remain alarmingly high, especially among female and LGBTQ+ students.
More than 3 in 5 LGBTQ+ students reported persistent sadness in 2023.
Substance Use
Positive trend: Alcohol, marijuana, and illicit drug use declined from 2013 to 2023.
LGBTQ+ students were twice as likely to use or misuse substances.
Sexual Behavior
Overall decline in adolescent sexual activity (e.g., fewer reporting ever having sex), but also a decline in protective behaviors like condom use and STD testing.
Violence & Safety
Experiences of sexual violence, being threatened at school, and bullying remain prevalent, particularly for female and LGBTQ+ students.
School safety concerns (e.g., skipping school due to feeling unsafe) increased.
Disparities & Inequities
Female and LGBTQ+ students consistently report higher rates of negative outcomes across all areas.
Disparities by race and ethnicity vary by issue, with no single group always faring worst or best.
Emerging Issues (2023 Additions)
Racism in schools: ~1 in 3 students reported experiencing racism, with Asian and Black students disproportionately affected.
Unfair discipline: Disproportionately affects Black and male students.
Social media: 75% of students used it multiple times daily.
School connectedness is a protective factor but is lower among LGBTQ+ students.
This report is foundational for policymakers, educators, and public health officials to design targeted interventions that address urgent and growing risks in adolescent health especially for vulnerable populations and to track whether national efforts are producing results.
