Healthy Youth Survey
The secondary schools in our district participate in The Washington State Healthy Youth Survey every year. 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, physical activity, and related risk and protective factors.
The survey results are an important source of needs-assessment data for school districts, community-based organizations, local health and human service agencies, and state agencies. The results 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.