A recent youth risk survey shows that more than 36 percent of high school students in Orange County have tried smoking a cigarette, even one or two puffs. This data is important as the Orange County Health Department works to reduce or eliminate the initiation of smoking among youth, help smokers quit and protect the public from exposure to secondhand smoke.
The Orange County Health Department’s all in project in collaboration with Orange County Public Schools and with the support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) this past Fall, 2010. Findings from the survey provided valuable information on our local teens health behaviors and attitudes.
“The results of this survey are used by health and youth organizations or advocates to provide preventative services needed by our local youth. It is a valuable tool used by public health to improve the health status and well being of our teens,” Dr. Kevin M. Sherin, Director of the Orange County Health Department.
The health department encourages organizations serving the teen population to use this data to create or improve current health education and promotion services.
The survey also found that, of those high school students who reported current cigarette use, 46.3% have tried to quit smoking cigarettes during the past 12 months. One of the all in project’s goals is to provide high school students, as well as parents and others in the community, the opportunity to quit tobacco use successfully by making cessation information and services available.
The data available through the YRBS is not limited to tobacco usage but also includes injury and violence, alcohol and other drug use, sexual behaviors, dietary and obesity, and physical activity.
The 2010 YRBS was completed by 1524 students in 18 public high schools in Orange County, Florida during the Fall of 2010. The school reponse rate was 95%, the student response rate was 84%, and the overall response rate was 80%. The results are representative of all students in grades 9-12.
For more information and to download a summary of the Orange County’s latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey results, please visit http://www.allintohealth.org/issues/schools/YRBS/index.aspor call 407-558-0457.
