More Washington students are making healthier choices by avoiding alcohol, according to a recent survey of kids in our state. But declines in cigarette smoking are stalled, and an increase in new candy-flavored tobacco products is a growing concern.
The Healthy Youth Survey (HYS) is anonymous and voluntary; it’s taken every two years by thousands of Washington students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 in more than 1,000 public schools. It focuses on attitudes and health risk behaviors. Topics include drug, alcohol, and tobacco use; gangs; physical activity; suicide; bullying; and more. For the first time, the survey also asked about sexual activity.
“It takes a consistent, coordinated effort to make the healthy choice the easy choice for our kids,” said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. “This survey shows that some of that hard work is paying off and kids are making better choices to improve their health. Of course there are always new generations of kids to reach so the work never ends.”
News release, March 16, 2011
Reports from the 2010 survey on the Washington State Department of Health web site.