New Results from Duval County’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey are in

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — This week, the Florida Department of Health and the Duval County Public Schools released new findings from a 2021 survey taken of Jacksonville middle and high school students.

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey, also known as the YRBS, measures healthy and risky behaviors regarding tobacco, alcohol, drugs, sex, bullying, exercise, and suicide.

Any issues young people face that can contribute to illness or unintentional injuries, among middle and high school students in Duval County. Data from the YRBS has been collected confidentially in Jacksonville since 2009, as part of a nationwide effort by the Center for Disease Control.

“We continually look for ways to innovatively use the survey data in partnering with local agencies to mitigate the high-risk behaviors of our youth,” Heather Albritton, Director of Health & Physical Education says. “While it is also crucial to continue the more fundamental uses of the survey data, we know that we must press forward to find new, broader ways to connect our students with programming, services, and educational experiences that can help shape their habits into life-long beneficial, positive behaviors.”

The new report shares insights into local teen health and can help educators and parents better understand how to shape teenage habits into positive, healthy behaviors in adulthood.

For tobacco use, 12.1 percent of middle schoolers reportedly use electronic vapes, and 18.5 percent of high school students said they also use vapes.

The use of pharmaceutical pain medications, without a doctor’s prescription, showed that 17 percent of middle school students and over 20 percent of high school took pain medicines for reasons other than the intended use.

One example of concerning reports from students is the issue of suicidal thoughts and attempts to self-harm.

According to middle school students, 1-in-4 students had made a plan for committing suicide.

Meanwhile, high schoolers said they had already attempted suicide in the year, prior to the study.

If you or anyone you know is having thoughts about self-harm, please call 988 or go to Lifeline’s website to speak to a crisis counselor right now.

Bullying rates are affecting 1-in-3 middle school students, at 36.2 percent.

And 8.1 percent of high school students admit to carrying a weapon onto school grounds, which is nearly four times higher than Florida’s state average of 2.2 percent.

“Today’s youth are making better decisions about their health. We have made great strides in improving the behaviors that put students most at risk for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. Still, there is more work to be done to create healthier environments for our children,” said Antonio Nichols, Interim Administrator and Health Officer for The Florida Department of Health in Duval County. “Armed with this new information, we can work together to develop solutions and strategies that will result in better health and wellness outcomes for our youth. Schools, families, and communities must work together to make sure Duval County’s youth stay healthy now and into their adulthood.”

You can find the full 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey online at the Florida Department of Health’s website.

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