Iowa Youth Health Assessment Program
Youth Risk Behavior Survey - Iowa Youth Survey - School Health Profiles
2021 Data Reports Available Spring-Summer 2022
Find 2021 reports as they become available here:
Released April 2022: 2021 Iowa Youth Survey State Report
Released March 2022: 2021 Iowa Youth Survey Special Topics Report: Mental Health Findings
Program Overview
Created in 2019, the Iowa Youth Health Assessment Program administers three surveys related to student health. Together these surveys provide necessary data for state and community stakeholders to make data-driven funding, policy and program decisions. The surveys are: the Iowa Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), Iowa Youth Survey (IYS), and School Health Profiles.
Administered every two years, the Iowa Youth Survey and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey are the most frequently used sources of data on key behaviors impacting youth health in Iowa. Data are used at the school, county, state, and national levels to inform policy and funding, to develop program strategy, and for surveillance and research purposes.
Students in schools across the state participated in the surveys in fall 2021.
Questions? Please contact us at iowayouthsurvey@idph.iowa.gov
Data for Health Equity
The Iowa Youth Health Assessment Program is committed to promoting health equity by collecting, stratifying and disseminating data that identify disparities, help set priorities and contribute to improved health outcomes for all young people living in Iowa. Please see YRBS and IYS data reports and infographics below for current information on health disparities experienced by subpopulations of Iowa youth.
Iowa Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)
What is the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)?
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded project that was developed in 1990 to monitor a selection of youth health behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death and disability. These behaviors are often developed during childhood and adolescence. The Iowa Youth Risk Behavior Survey is administered to 9th through 12th grade students in a randomly selected sample of Iowa high schools in odd calendar years. The YRBS assists the Iowa Department of Public Health with understanding youth behaviors that relate to:
- Injuries
- Violence
- Unintended Pregnancy
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (Including HIV)
- Alcohol and Drug Use
- Tobacco Use
- Unhealthy Dietary Behaviors
- Lack of Physical Activity
The YRBS also allows IDPH to assess the prevalence of obesity in Iowa youth.
After multiple years of being administered by the Iowa Department of Education, the survey became incorporated into the work of the Iowa Department of Public Health's Data Management and Health Equity Program in 2018.
Where can I find Iowa Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data?
A video report of the 2019 Iowa Youth Risk Behavior Survey can be viewed at the IDPH YouTube channel.
Data from the 2019 Iowa Youth Risk Behavior Survey can be found below.
National YRBS and states data from 2019 can be found through the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System webpage.
Data from previous administrations of the Iowa Youth Risk Behavior Survey can be found here.
Where can I find more information about the Iowa Youth Risk Behavior Survey?
More information can be found on the CDC's webpage here. You can also review the materials below:
Iowa Youth Survey (IYS)
What is the Iowa Youth Survey?
For more than two decades, the IYS has provided data on priority health behaviors and experiences among 6th, 8th, and 11th graders. Conducted biennially, the IYS provides data by county, AEA region, judicial district, substance abuse prevention and treatment planning region, and at the state level. Participating schools receive a district-level report. To access all resources related to the Iowa Youth Survey, click here.
Released March 2022: 2021 Iowa Youth Survey Special Topics Report: Mental Health Findings
School Health Profiles
What is the School Health Profiles (Profiles)?
The School Health Profiles (Profiles) is a system of surveys assessing school health policies and practices in states, large urban school districts, and territories. Profiles surveys are conducted biennially, in years opposite the YRBS, by education and health agencies among middle and high school principals and lead health education teachers. Profiles monitors the current status of:
• School health education requirements and content
• Physical education and physical activity
• Practices related to bullying and sexual harassment
• School health policies related to tobacco-use prevention and nutrition
• School-based health services
• Family engagement and community involvement
• School health coordination
The 2020 Iowa School Health Profiles report can be found below. Click the image to open the report.
We invite education and health officials, community stakeholders, and parents to utilize this data to:
• Describe school health policies and practices and compare them across jurisdictions
• Identify professional development needs
• Plan and monitor programs
• Support health-related policies and legislation
• Seek funding
• Garner support for future surveys