Health Data & Reports

Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Data & Reports

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) monitors six priority health behaviors of high school students including:

behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence;
sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV;
alcohol and drug use;
tobacco use;
dietary behaviors; and
physical activity.

The YRBS has been conducted in South Dakota in partnership with The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) since 1991. From 1991 through 2013, the South Dakota Department of Education administered the survey in collaboration with multiple state agencies, including the Department of Health. In the spring of 2013, the South Dakota Department of Education administered the survey. In August 2013, the Department of Health took over the administration of the South Dakota YRBS and compiled the 2013 report. Today, the survey administration remains with the South Dakota Department of Health.

How does it work?

The YRBS is administered in odd-numbered years to public, tribal, and BIE students in grades 9th through 12th at scientifically selected high schools across the state. The survey is voluntary and anonymous.

Why take part in the survey?

Results from the survey are either unweighted or weighted. Unweighted data only provide information about the sample of students who participated in the survey. Weighted data can be generalized to all public, tribal, and BIE South Dakota high school students and used for targeted prevention and early intervention programs.

A high participation rate among sampled schools is needed to obtain weighted data. Since schools scientifically selected to participate in the survey cannot be replaced by any other school in the state, participation is crucial.

Historically, the YRBS administration has been very successful in South Dakota. Weighted data has been obtained every administration cycle except 2017. Thus, 2017 data is not available for publication and will not be found in published reports.