Alaska Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)
Consider signing up your teenager for the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Next spring, thousands of Alaska high schools will fill out the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, or YRBS.
The brief survey gives high school students the chance to share what’s going well, and what’s challenging related to their health and social experiences. Participation is voluntary. Teens’ answers can’t be linked to them in any way.
Parents, consider signing the permission form during high school registration – online or on paper. If your school district doesn’t offer the permission form during registration, please consider signing the form when it’s sent home with your student or you receive an email or letter from your student’s school.
What is the YRBS?
The YRBS is a survey of Alaska high school students that’s completed in school every other year. Teenagers in most states participate. Alaska’s survey is administered by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services in collaboration with the Department of Education and Early Development.
The survey collects important information about the health and experiences of Alaska teens related to physical activity and nutrition; tobacco, alcohol, and drug use; injury prevention; violence and bullying; suicide; relationships; and connections with peers, adults, and their community. Participation requires permission from a parent or guardian for students under age 18.
Who participates?
Thousands of high school students in grades 9-12 from school districts across Alaska will participate in the survey. Schools and classes are scientifically selected for the survey, and students will find out if their class was chosen in spring 2023.
When will the next YRBS be completed?
The next YRBS will be completed during the spring semester of the 2022-2023 school year.
Why is the YRBS important for Alaska high school students?
Survey results help school districts, communities and organizations provide valuable programs to improve the health and social experiences of teens. Results about what Alaska teens as a whole are facing can help families have honest discussions.
Where do students complete the survey?
The brief survey is completed at school. Participating students can complete it in one class period. Students can feel comfortable giving honest answers because they do not sign their names or include any personally identifying information on the survey.
Where can you find out more about the YRBS?
Students under age 18 can participate in the YRBS only with signed permission forms. When a high percentage of high school students participate, survey results provide an accurate overall picture of what Alaska teens are experiencing and where local programs could provide help and improve health. Families can learn more about the YRBS by downloading Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Parents or visiting yrbs.dhss.alaska.gov.
