The 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey in Philadelphia monitored six health risk categories among high school students, including tobacco, alcohol, and sexual risks, with data collected from 1,896 students in 29 schools. Key findings indicated declines in smoking and current alcohol use, while rates of obesity and sedentary behavior remained stagnant; the mental health of students showed concerning trends with rising reported rates of suicidal thoughts. The survey, conducted every other year since 1991, highlighted the importance of ongoing assessments to inform health initiatives in the school district.

1. YOUTH RISK
BEHAVIORAL SURVEY
UPDATE 2015

2. PhiladelphiaYRBS 2015 Data
■ Monitors six types of health risks
– Tobacco use
– Alcohol and Drug use
– Body weight, nutrition and physical activity
– Sexual Risks
– Safety andViolence
– Asthma
■ Carefully documented probability sample of schools
■ Local data for 2015 was used for presentation (national data not yet available).
■ Collaborative effort betweenTemple University and School District of Philadelphia

3. Methodology
■ Administered to 1896 high school students from 29 random schools
■ Data is representative of all 9th and 12th graders in the district.
– 70% completion rate
– Students were asked to complete 99 item self report survey
■ The School District of Philadelphia is funded to conductYRBS every other year.
– Conducted annually since 1991
– Random classrooms within chosen schools are selected.
■ School response rate was 100% and student response rate was 65%

4. Student Demographics
■ Random classrooms within the schools were selected
■ Data is representative of all 9th and 12th graders in the district.
■ School response rate was 100% student response rate was 65%
–54% Male –46% Female
–9th grade: 31% –10th grade: 25%
–11th grade: 24% –12th grade: 20%
–Black: 46% –White: 13%
–All others: 15% – Hispanic: 20%
–Multiple: 6%
■ Survey only included students who were in school on the day the survey was
administered.

5. Tobacco Use
■ Since 1991 the percentage of students who ever smoked declined from 76%(1991) to
34%(2015).
■ Current smoking declined by 5.9%
– 40% in 2013
■ Rates of students trying to quit in 2015 (55%) is up from 2013 (45%).
■ 40% of students ever report using e-vapor products.
■ Lifetime use of electronic vapor products
– Yes: 38.7%
– No: 61.3%

6. Alcohol and Drug Use
■ Prevalence of alcohol use and binge drinking have decreased slightly
– Binge drinking is considered 5 drinks in a row in the last 30days
– Nearly 15% in 2013
– Slightly above 10% in 2015
■ Rates of marijuana have decreased in Philadelphia since 2013
– 25% in 2013
– Slightly above 20% in 2015
■ Between 2013 and 2015 rates of cocaine (3.1%-4.6%) and heroin (1.83-3.3%) lifetime
use have increased.
■ Current alcohol use has declined from more than 30% in 2013 to 25% in 2015.

7. Body weight, Nutrition and Physical Activity
■ Rates of obesity and overweightness have stabilizing
■ Overall physical activity rates remain stagnant while sedentary lifestyle increased
from 22% to 25%
■ High rates ofTV watching have decreased to 33% recreational computer use rates
have increased to 48%
■ 17% of students reported being overweight
■ 13% reported being obese.
■ Schools adhere to USDA nutrition requirements

8. Sexual Risk Activity
■ 50% of students have ever had sex and 30% report having had sex during the past
three months.
■ 9% have reported having sex before age 13.
■ 1 in 4 report having more sex partners.
– Less than 20% reported having more than 4 sex partners.
■ Condom rates have slightly decreased 58% (2013) to 54% (2015).
■ 1 in 5 students used alcohol before having sex.
■ 14% of students consumed alcohol prior to sexual activity.
– 22% reported in 2013.

9. Injury andViolence
■ More than ¾ of students report wearing seatbelts.
■ 2015 physical fighting (35.2%) and carrying a weapon (12.3%) remained steady since
2013.
■ Thoughts of suicide decreased throughout the 1990’s
■ Reports of attempted suicide in Philadelphia remain higher than national reports.
■ Persistent sadness over the past 15 years, but a spike in occurred in 2015 (up to 4%).
■ 8% reported that they’d been physically forced to have sexual intercourse.
– 11% females
– 5% males
■ Girls are more likely to be victims of forced sexual violence.

10. Mental Health
■ Reported rates of suicidal thoughts were rising.
– 15% of students reported having these thoughts
– Particularly higher among 9th graders
■ 12% of students reported attempting suicide
– Philadelphia rates are higher than national average.
■ 34% of students reported persistent sadness for 2 or more weeks.
– Rates of persistent sadness over the past 15 years have been consistent