Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Information and resources about the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a national survey monitoring health-related behaviors in young adults.
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is a national survey, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) every two years among representative samples of 9th through 12th grade students. YRBS monitors six types of health-related behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death and disability among youth and adults, including:
- Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence
- Sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection
- Alcohol and other drug use
- Tobacco use
- Unhealthy dietary behaviors
- Inadequate physical activity
See the New Hampshire YRBS Presentation
YRBSS also measures the prevalence of obesity and asthma and other health-related behaviors plus sexual identity and sex of sexual contacts among youth and young adults in high school.
YRBSS is a system of surveys. It includes 1) a national school-based survey conducted by CDC and state, territorial, tribal, and 2) local surveys conducted by state, territorial, and local education and health agencies and tribal governments.
In New Hampshire, YRBS is jointly administered by the Departments of Health & Human Services and Education. High schools are given the opportunity to participate in either the random state survey, a comprehensive school level census survey, or both. The survey is usually administered in New Hampshire schools during the early winter. The results are now available towards below. The data from the YRBS are used extensively by health departments, schools, and local area agencies to define areas of high health risk and to secure the resources necessary to address any identified health issues.
2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)
- 2025 New Hampshire Youth Risk Behavior (YRBS) Questionnaire
- 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Standard Questionnaire Item Rationale
- 2025 YRBS Letters of Support
- Template 2025 YRBS Passive Parental Permission Form (Opt-Out)
- New Hampshire Youth Risk Behavior FAQ's and Resource Connections Brochure
Data Systems
Program Services
Student Privacy
- Student privacy must remain a number one priority.
- The questionnaire is designed to protect the anonymity of students.
- No names or other types of personally identifying information are ever requested.
- The survey environment should be set up so that students sit as far apart as possible throughout the classroom and have a piece of paper to cover their responses.
- Neither survey administrators nor classroom teachers wander around the classroom while students are taking the survey.
Guidance for Special Needs Students
- The YRBS survey should be offered to all students within selected classrooms. Accommodations for special needs students may follow the protocol currently in place for that school and that student, the criteria being that:
- privacy of the student is maintained; no student should have to respond to another person to complete the survey or have another person see their responses; and,
- the student must respond using the standard YRBS survey booklet.
Both school administrators and students must feel confident that every reasonable effort has been made to protect their privacy. It is strongly recommended that all survey coordinators (and survey administrators, as deemed necessary by the coordinator) sign a confidentiality agreement that can be shown to school administrators. This provides the message that the commitment to confidentiality is a serious one and reinforces the survey administrators' obligation to protect student privacy.
NH Youth Talk: Youth Risk Behavior Survey
NH Youth Talk: Youth Risk Behavior Survey
In this video, high school students share their insights on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), highlighting how the survey gives them a platform to discuss mental health, substance misuse, and other challenges they face.
NH Adults are Listening: Youth RIsk Behavior Survey
NH Adults are Listening: Youth Risk Behavior Survey
In this video, community members—including parents, school principals, and police officers—share how the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) provides critical data to support youth.