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CDC Report Shows U.S. Youth At Risk
By Christina Quick | June 23, 2008
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released a report on risky teen behavior.
Based on surveys of students from public and private high schools in 39 states, the report includes some alarming findings. Among them:
• Over 35 percent said they had been in a physical fight in the previous 12 months. Four percent required medical treatment after being in a fight.
• Nearly 10 percent had been hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend.
• Eleven percent of girls had been raped.
• More than 28 percent of all students polled said they had felt sad or hopeless for two consecutive weeks or more in the past year.
• More than 14 percent had seriously considered suicide. Nearly 7 percent had attempted suicide in the past year.
• More than half had tried smoking cigarettes, and 8 percent were regular smokers.
• Three-quarters had tried alcohol, with almost 24 percent having their first drink before age 13. Twenty-six percent said they had engaged in heavy drinking in the previous 30 days.
• Approximately 29 percent of students were in a vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol in the 30 days prior to the study. More than 10 percent drove a vehicle themselves while under the influence of alcohol.
• Eight percent of students had tried marijuana before age 13.
• Nearly 20 percent had used marijuana in the previous 30 days.
• Just over 13 percent had sniffed inhalants — such as glue, aerosol spray cans, and paint — to get high.
• Over 22 percent said they had been offered, sold, or given illegal drugs on school property in the previous 12 months.
• Nearly half had engaged in sexual intercourse, and 35 percent described themselves as currently sexually active.
• Almost 15 percent had had sex with four or more people.
• Among those who claimed to be sexually active, 61.5 percent said neither they nor their partners used condoms.
• Just over seven percent had engaged in sex for the first time before age 13.
• Approximately 16 percent of girls and 7 percent of boys had gone without food for at least 24 hours to lose weight.
Rather than sermonizing on these sobering figures, I’m interested in hearing your thoughts. Leave a response below.
Topics: In the news |
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Those are some scary statistics. It really makes me want to reach out more to my school and community. especially knowing my current high school use to be know as a “burn-out” school.