2023 Health Behavior Survey Highlights Positive Choices of Oklahoma High School Students

OKLAHOMA CITY - The 2023 Oklahoma Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) indicates a 77% decrease in cigarette smoking among teens from 2013 - 2023. Additionally, the data reveals that 54% of public high school students reported never having vaped, and 78% didn’t vape during the 30 days before the survey.

“This data serves as a significant reminder that not all high school students are engaging in risky health behaviors, though it may seem like it,” said Joyce Marshall, the Director of the OSDH Maternal and Child Health program. “It is crucial to show Oklahoma families that progress is happening and build upon the momentum by supporting families through resources and education.”

The YRBS was administered to randomly selected Oklahoma public high schools in spring 2023.

Oklahoma has experienced improvement in important areas since 2013. Among Oklahoma public high school students in 2023:

• 95.7% of students did not drive a vehicle after they had been drinking alcohol.
• 79.1% of students were not bullied on school property.
• 80.9% of students did not use marijuana in the past 30 days.
• 75.55% of students had never smoked a cigarette.
• 95.77% of students did not smoke a cigarette in the past 30 days.
• 71.22% of students were not sexually active.

The survey monitors a wide range of important indicators, such as injury and violence, tobacco use, alcohol and other drug use, sexual behaviors, diet and physical activity, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

ACEs are potentially traumatic events occurring during childhood. Research has shown these experiences can have a negative impact on physical health and emotional well-being across the lifespan. A composite score was created from 11 ACEs questions.

• 62.8% of students reported having three or fewer ACEs.

Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) are important in determining health outcomes because they can mitigate the negative health effects, even for children who experience ACEs. Three PCEs questions were used to create a composite score of 0-3.

• One in five students reported having all three PCEs.

The YRBS is critical to understanding the health status and needs of youth in Oklahoma to plan and implement youth-focused health programs more effectively.

For parents and staff working with youth, the most important way to keep youth informed and safe is through honest and open communication. For caregivers who need tips for talking about issues like consent, healthy relationships, abstinence, bullying, and depression visit:  Lets Talk Month - Tool Kit | Powered by Box. Resources are also available for grandparents caring for adolescents in the Grandparent Toolkit and can be found at  oklahoma.gov/health/grandparenttoolkit.

For families with youth who are experiencing signs of sadness or struggling with substance use, call or text 988 to connect with trained mental health professionals. A list of adolescent health resources can be found by clicking here.

For more information on the YRBS, please visit Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) (oklahoma.gov) or call (405) 426-8092.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) protects and improves public health through its system of local health services and strategies focused on preventing disease. OSDH provides technical support and guidance to 68 county health departments in Oklahoma, as well as guidance and consultation to the two independent city-county health departments in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Learn more at Oklahoma.gov/health.

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